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2027 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Tennessee

16 Colleges in the United States
1,460 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$44,205 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools to find the best for public administration & social service students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in Tennessee

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

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Our analysis ranked Vanderbilt University the best school in the country for a degree in public administration & social service. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $59,973 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Vanderbilt University

2
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Lipscomb University

3

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #3. 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 593 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $43,853. Typical student debt for the program is $25,683. See the full public administration & social service program report for The University Of Tennessee

4
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #4. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 16 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Belmont University earn around $49,699 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Belmont University

5

Lincoln Memorial University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Harrogate. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 13 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $64,307 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,693. Get the full public administration & social service details for Lincoln Memorial University

6

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 54 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,102. Typical student debt for the program is $22,100. See the full public administration & social service program report for Middle Tennessee State University

7

The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 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. Read more about the public administration & social service program at The University Of Tennessee Martin

8

East Tennessee State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 120 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at East Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from East Tennessee State University earn around $37,802 in the first couple years of their career. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $22,950 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at East Tennessee State University

9

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates 50% of students within six years. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga awarded about 54 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn around $35,667 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,043. Read more about the public administration & social service program at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

10

Cumberland University placed #10 among the best public administration & social service schools. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. Cumberland University graduates 42% of students within six years. About 24 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Cumberland University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $47,696 in their early career. Cumberland University graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Cumberland University

11

University Of Memphis came in at #11 for public administration & social service this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. University Of Memphis awarded about 146 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $41,864. Typical student debt for the program is $36,506. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Memphis

12

Southern Adventist University placed #12 among the best public administration & social service schools. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 34 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Southern Adventist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $47,542. Southern Adventist University graduates carry a median of $24,575 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Southern Adventist University

13
Union University crest
Union University
Jackson, TN

Union University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. 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 86 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Union University earn around $41,049 in the first couple years of their career. Union University graduates carry a median of $39,415 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Union University

14

Tennessee State University earned the #14 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 35% of students finish within six years. Tennessee State University awarded about 103 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $38,965. Typical student debt for the program is $31,500. Get the full public administration & social service details for Tennessee State University

15
King College crest
King College
Bristol, TN

King College earned the #15 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. There were roughly 53 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at King College 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. See the full public administration & social service program report for King College

16

Austin Peay State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This large public university is located in the city of Clarksville. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $38,190 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Austin Peay State University

View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 16 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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