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

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in public administration & social service, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,608 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $60,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $79,397 early in their careers. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $65,105. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,895 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $66,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,820. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $69,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,273. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $57,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

7

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College earned the #7 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,690 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $63,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

8

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $64,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. 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, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $65,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

10

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno landed the #10 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. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $64,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

11

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield came in at #11 for value in public administration & social service this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,029. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

13

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,389. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $57,399 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

14

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #14 among the best values for public administration & social service. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $71,006. Set against $24,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

15

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,276. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $66,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

16

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #16 among the best values for public administration & social service. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $59,322 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

17

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College came in at #17 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $60,020. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

18

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #18 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $16,526. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $52,265. That is a strong return on a $16,526 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

19

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #19 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $67,124 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

20

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University came in at #20 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,527. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $85,111 early in their careers. Set against $10,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.

21

Louisiana State University Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #21 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,300. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

22

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University placed #22 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,066. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #23 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $17,396 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $61,696. That is a strong return on a $17,396 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

24

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $19,749 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $41,377. Set against $19,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

25

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #25 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.