2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,608 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,407. Set against $9,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. 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. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

3

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 #3 spot this year. 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, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. 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 $57,673 early in their careers. Set against $13,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

4

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,690 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $52,676 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 Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $7,860 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $33,854. That is a strong return on a $7,860 median debt.

6

Cuny Bronx Community College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Bronx Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $6,786. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $36,338. Set against $6,786 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $42,839. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.

8

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College placed #8 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,219. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $24,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Students borrow a median of $13,569 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $57,399. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

12

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $45,172. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

13

Union County College
Cranford, NJ

Union County College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,168. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Hudson Valley Community College
Troy, NY

Hudson Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,925. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $32,887. Set against $11,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

16

Cuny Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #16 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Students borrow a median of $17,142 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $44,015 early in their careers. Set against $17,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.

17

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College
New York, NY

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College placed #17 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,194, compared with $8,074 for out-of-state students. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $22,496.

18

Orange County Community College
Middletown, NY

Orange County Community College earned the #18 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $14,152. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJ

Brookdale Community College placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,458 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,374. That is a strong return on a $12,458 median debt.

20

Raritan Valley Community College
Branchburg, NJ

Raritan Valley Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,668. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College placed #21 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,488. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $52,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

Essex County College came in at #22 for value in public administration & social service this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.

23

Cumberland County College
Vineland, NJ

Cumberland County College placed #23 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,803 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cumberland County College earn a median of $37,250 early in their careers. Set against $15,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $79,371 early in their careers. Set against $10,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

25

Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Dover, DE

Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #25 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,240 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $30,923. That is a strong return on a $9,240 median debt.