2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for public administration & social service in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,250. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $37,792 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.

2

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,608. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $40,986. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

4

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,690 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $42,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,690 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

5

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,895. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $48,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

6

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,273. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $59,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #7 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,820. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $58,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

8

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,159 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,953. That is a strong return on a $13,159 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

9

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. 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, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,631. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $35,345 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.

10

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,726 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $39,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny New York City College Of Technology placed #11 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,839. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

12

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #12 among the best values for public administration & social service. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $31,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

13

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #13 among the best values for public administration & social service. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,276. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $55,766. That is a strong return on a $11,276 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

14

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $44,742. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

15

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #15 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $31,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

16

Cuny Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #16 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $17,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $44,128. That is a strong return on a $17,142 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

17

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #17 for value in public administration & social service this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

18

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College earned the #18 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,583 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $38,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,453 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $41,178 early in their careers. Set against $20,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

20

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $31,928 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $42,735 early in their careers. Set against $31,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $16,526. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $40,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,526 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

22

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,735. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

23

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,527. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $73,630. That is a strong return on a $10,527 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

24

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,500. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $33,510 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

25

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University earned the #25 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $37,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.