2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in North Carolina
Public Administration & Social Service is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools to find the best for public administration & social service students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public administration & social service education in North Carolina.
Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for public administration & social service. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. There were roughly 258 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Duke University earn around $72,813 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Duke University
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top schools for public administration & social service. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 317 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $50,669 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Elon University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $50,463 in their early career. Elon University graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Elon University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #4. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 199 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $43,530 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,791 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Appalachian State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 190 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $41,044. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $22,184 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Appalachian State University
East Carolina University landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 150 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $43,448. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at East Carolina University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 254 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $40,146 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Gardner Webb University placed #8 among the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Gardner Webb University awarded about 28 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $63,220. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree.
Get the full public administration & social service details for Gardner Webb University
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #9 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 182 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $44,528. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates carry a median of $22,361 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wingate University landed the #10 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 17 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Wingate University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $32,843 in their early career. Wingate University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Wingate University
Western Carolina University placed #11 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Carolina University awarded about 239 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $48,324 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,116.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Western Carolina University
Pfeiffer University placed #12 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. About 11 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Pfeiffer University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Pfeiffer University generally make around $54,891. Typical student debt for the program is $26,375.
Get the full public administration & social service details for Pfeiffer University
Mount Olive College came in at #13 for public administration & social service this year. Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Olive. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mount Olive College awarded about 21 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Mount Olive College earn around $45,131 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,798 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Mount Olive College
Lees Mcrae College earned the #14 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit university. Lees Mcrae College graduates 42% of students within six years. About 20 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Lees Mcrae College in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Lees Mcrae College earn around $34,811 in the first couple years of their career. Lees Mcrae College graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Lees Mcrae College
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #15 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 139 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Stanly Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. There were roughly 22 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Stanly Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $41,920 in their early career.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Stanly Community College
Meredith College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Raleigh. About 70% of students finish within six years. Meredith College awarded about 15 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $40,537. Students borrow a median of $26,381 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Meredith College
Wilkes Community College came in at #18 for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Wilkesboro. There were roughly 28 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Wilkes Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $36,341 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Wilkes Community College
Barton College placed #19 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Wilson, Barton College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Barton College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Barton College earn around $38,312 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Barton College
Winston Salem State University came in at #20 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 47% of students finish within six years. Winston Salem State University awarded about 33 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $29,617 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,537.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Winston Salem State University
Pitt Community College earned the #21 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 21 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Pitt Community College in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. Pitt Community College graduates carry a median of $19,741 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Pitt Community College
Davidson County Community College placed #22 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 20 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Davidson County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Davidson County Community College earn around $35,625 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,693 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Davidson County Community College
North Carolina Central University placed #23 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. About 159 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at North Carolina Central University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $43,045. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at North Carolina Central University
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #24 for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the city of Greensboro. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 76 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina A And T State University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $37,036 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,000.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from North Carolina A And T State University
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #25 position for public administration & social service this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 118 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn around $38,631 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Rest of the Top 31 Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong public administration & social service education:
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 46 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.