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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in New York

43 Colleges in the United States
$19,895 Avg Student Debt
$56,762 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Badge [Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.

What’s on this page:

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

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

1
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in New York. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,608 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,608 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,250. 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

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,895. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $57,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,690. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $52,676. That is a strong return on a $12,690 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Cuny Bronx Community College, which ranked #5. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,786 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $36,338. That is a strong return on a $6,786 median debt.

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6

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $7,860 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $33,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $42,839 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

8
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

9

Suffolk County Community College earned the #9 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Cuny York College crest
Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $52,381 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #11 for value in public administration & social service this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $45,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

12
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,569. 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.

13

Hudson Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,194, while out-of-state students pay about $8,074. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $22,496.

15

Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,142. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $44,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,142 median debt. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.

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16

Ulster County Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Students borrow a median of $9,206 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,424. That is a strong return on a $9,206 median debt.

17

Orange County Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,152 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $43,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Erie Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.

19

Onondaga Community College placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,019 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $27,366. Set against $12,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Schenectady County Community College landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.

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21

Monroe Community College earned the #21 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $17,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $26,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Niagara County Community College earned the #22 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,074. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Dutchess Community College landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,670, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. Students borrow a median of $14,324 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Dutchess Community College earn a median of $24,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,324 median debt.

24

Mohawk Valley Community College placed #24 among the best values for public administration & social service. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,750. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $25,855. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.

25

Suny Westchester Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public administration & social service value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
31
32
33
34
35
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
36
37
38
39
40
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY
41
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
42
Boricua College crest
Boricua College
New York, NY
43
44
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
45
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY
46
47
48
Daemen College crest
Daemen College
Amherst, NY
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 100 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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