2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Tennessee
Public Administration & Social Service is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools to find the best for public administration & social service students.
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Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public administration & social service education in Tennessee.
Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service
Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 34 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $59,916 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Vanderbilt University
A rank of #2 makes Lipscomb University one of the top schools for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 54 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the top schools for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. About 444 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $43,853 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,683 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for The University Of Tennessee
Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at Belmont University, which ranked #4. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 20 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $49,699 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Belmont University
Lincoln Memorial University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. Lincoln Memorial University graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $64,307 in their early career. Lincoln Memorial University graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Lincoln Memorial University
Middle Tennessee State University placed #6 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 110 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $43,102 in their early career. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $22,100 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Middle Tennessee State University
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga awarded about 67 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $35,667 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates carry a median of $20,043 in student loans.
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East Tennessee State University earned the #8 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. East Tennessee State University awarded about 132 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from East Tennessee State University earn around $37,792 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,950.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at East Tennessee State University
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Martin. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from The University Of Tennessee Martin earn around $34,240 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates carry a median of $25,653 in student loans.
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Cumberland University placed #10 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 27 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Cumberland University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $47,696. Typical student debt for the program is $21,902.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Cumberland University
Southern Adventist University landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Collegedale. Southern Adventist University graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Southern Adventist University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $47,542 early in their careers. Southern Adventist University graduates carry a median of $24,575 in student loans.
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University Of Memphis earned the #12 position for public administration & social service this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 127 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Memphis in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $41,864 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $36,506 to complete this degree.
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Freed Hardeman University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Henderson. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Freed Hardeman University awarded about 10 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $54,530 in their early career. Freed Hardeman University graduates carry a median of $24,200 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Freed Hardeman University
Union University came in at #14 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Union University graduates 66% of students within six years. Union University awarded about 72 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $41,049 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $39,415.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Union University
Tennessee State University earned the #15 position for public administration & social service this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. About 35% of students finish within six years. About 76 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Tennessee State University earn around $38,965 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,500.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Tennessee State University
King College earned the #16 position for public administration & social service this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bristol. About 49% of students finish within six years. King College awarded about 61 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $34,380 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,732 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at King College
Austin Peay State University earned the #17 position for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the city of Clarksville. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Austin Peay State University awarded about 47 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $38,190. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Austin Peay State University
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 28 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.
