2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in New Jersey

1

Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College tops our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools in New Jersey. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,219 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $24,616. That is a strong return on a $9,219 median debt.

2

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Hudson County Community College
Jersey City, NJ

Hudson County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Cumberland County College
Vineland, NJ

Cumberland County College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,803. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cumberland County College earn a median of $37,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,803 median debt.

6

Raritan Valley Community College
Branchburg, NJ

Raritan Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Union County College
Cranford, NJ

Union County College earned the #7 position for value in public administration & social service this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Union County College earn a median of $38,168 early in their careers. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJ

Brookdale Community College came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,458. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Passaic County Community College
Paterson, NJ

Passaic County Community College earned the #9 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,581. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt.

10

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #10 position 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. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $79,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

11

Atlantic Cape Community College
Mays Landing, NJ

Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,667. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $37,141 early in their careers. Set against $11,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Students borrow a median of $13,792 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $41,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,792 median debt.

13

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University came in at #13 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $50,200. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

14

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $42,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Teaneck, NJ

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,770. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $66,770. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

16

Rutgers University Camden
Camden, NJ

Rutgers University Camden earned the #16 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $55,247. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.

17

Centenary College
Hackettstown, NJ

Centenary College came in at #17 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,732. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,476. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Centenary College earn a median of $46,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,476 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

18

Rutgers University Newark
Newark, NJ

Rutgers University Newark ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,118 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $52,547 early in their careers. Set against $25,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

19

The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
Galloway, NJ

The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #19 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $44,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.

20

Georgian Court University
Lakewood, NJ

Georgian Court University landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,110. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

21

Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Mahwah, NJ

Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #21 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,491. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,113. Set against $24,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

22

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University placed #22 among the best values for public administration & social service. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,488. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,031. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

23

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,057. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $66,284 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,057 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

24

Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,721. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $50,649 early in their careers. Set against $25,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

25

Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ

Monmouth University landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.