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2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in North Carolina

18 Colleges in the United States
2,719 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$43,597 Avg Early-Career Salary

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

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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

8
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

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

9

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

10
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

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

11

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

12
Pfeiffer University crest
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC

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

13
Mount Olive College crest
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC

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

14
Lees Mcrae College crest
Lees Mcrae College
Banner Elk, NC

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

15

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

16

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

17
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

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

18

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

19
Barton College crest
Barton College
Wilson, NC

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

20

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

21
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC

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

22

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

23

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

24

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

25

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:

26
Methodist University crest
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC
27
Mars Hill College crest
Mars Hill College
Mars Hill, NC
28
29
30
31

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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