2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Michigan
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Michigan
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
For return on investment in public administration & social service, no school beat Washtenaw Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Oakland Community College, which ranked #3. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,862. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kellogg Community College earned it the #5 place for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University came in at #6 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $45,333. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Oakland University came in at #7 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $40,832. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $58,032. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $38,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $46,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University earned the #10 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $45,359 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #12 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $29,381 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,364. Set against $29,381 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Central Michigan University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,452. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $48,692. Set against $27,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $52,651. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $44,351. That is a strong return on a $26,349 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University placed #16 among the best values for public administration & social service. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,111. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Siena Heights University placed #17 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,778. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,913 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $34,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Siena Heights University admits about 69% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University landed the #18 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,301 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $36,513. Set against $24,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Grace Bible College placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,190. Students borrow a median of $28,648 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Grace Bible College earn a median of $35,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,648 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Madonna University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,440. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,597. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,829. That is a strong return on a $25,597 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Western Michigan University earned the #21 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $46,328. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Andrews University placed #22 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,314. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,360. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,285. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $44,812. Set against $26,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Spring Arbor University earned the #24 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,014. Students borrow a median of $29,893 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $47,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Cornerstone University placed #25 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,501. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public administration & social service this year:
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
