[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1482 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.
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Finding the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service School for You
Where you study public administration & social service affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for public administration & social service in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,608 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $6,334. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $6,334 median debt.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $58,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $52,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,895. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $57,673. That is a strong return on a $13,895 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,690 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $52,676. That is a strong return on a $12,690 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $18,820 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $61,885. Set against $18,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton placed #8 among the best values for public administration & social service. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,273 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $7,860 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $33,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #10 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,728. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $34,392. That is a strong return on a $9,728 median debt.
Santa Ana College placed #11 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,345. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bronx Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,786 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $36,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $13,159 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $30,726 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,173. Set against $30,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #17 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $65,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cerritos College landed the #18 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #19 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $42,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Shasta College placed #21 among the best values for public administration & social service. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $50,225 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,038 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,718. Set against $10,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College earned the #24 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,227 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $18,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College placed #25 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $14,119 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,515. Set against $14,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public administration & social service this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1482 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 485 ranked schools only.
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).
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
