2027 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 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
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service
Duke University tops our 2027 ranking of the best public administration & social service schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. About 263 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Duke University earn a median of $72,813 early in their careers. Duke University graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Duke University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #2. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 370 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $50,647 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Elon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 22 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Elon University earn around $50,463 in the first couple years of their career. Elon University graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Elon University
Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 191 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $43,786. Typical student debt for the program is $20,791.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Appalachian State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #5. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 169 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $40,772 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,184 to complete this degree.
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Gardner Webb University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Gardner Webb University awarded about 37 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. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033.
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East Carolina University placed #7 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 136 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from East Carolina University earn around $43,448 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #8 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years. About 180 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $44,458 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,361.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Western Carolina University earned the #9 position for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the town of Cullowhee. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 230 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Western Carolina University earn around $49,159 in the first couple years of their career. Western Carolina University graduates carry a median of $22,116 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #10 for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 211 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $40,902 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Wingate University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wingate. Wingate University graduates 46% of students within six years. About 19 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Wingate University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Wingate University earn around $32,843 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Lees Mcrae College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. Lees Mcrae College awarded about 36 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $34,811 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Lees Mcrae College
Mount Olive College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Mount Olive. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Mount Olive College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $45,131 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,798 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Mount Olive College
Stanly Community College landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 28 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Stanly Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Stanly Community College
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #15 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 121 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn around $41,186 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Barton College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Wilson. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 12 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. Barton College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Barton College
Wilkes Community College placed #17 among the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Wilkesboro. There were roughly 37 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Wilkes Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Wilkes Community College graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans.
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Davidson County Community College came in at #18 for public administration & social service this year. Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Thomasville. There were roughly 30 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Davidson County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $35,625 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,693 to complete this degree.
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Pitt Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 24 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Pitt Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Pitt Community College earn around $43,022 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,741 to complete this degree.
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Beaufort County Community College came in at #20 for public administration & social service this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. There were roughly 42 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Beaufort County Community College in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Beaufort County Community College earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete this degree.
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Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock placed #21 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 23 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earn around $42,443 in the first couple years of their career. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock graduates carry a median of $16,252 in student loans.
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Winston Salem State University earned the #22 position for public administration & social service this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 47% of students finish within six years. Winston Salem State University awarded about 39 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Winston Salem State University earn around $29,617 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,537.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Winston Salem State University
Methodist University came in at #23 for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fayetteville. About 43% of students finish within six years. Methodist University awarded about 13 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $56,375 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,604 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Methodist University
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $46,323 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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North Carolina A And T State University landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. North Carolina A And T State University graduates 57% of students within six years. About 71 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at North Carolina A And T State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from North Carolina A And T State University earn around $37,036 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina A And T State University graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 32 Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools also placed among the best for public administration & social service this year:
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 32 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.