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

1

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

For return on investment in public administration & social service, no school beat Florida State College At Jacksonville this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $30,726 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $39,173. Set against $30,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC

A rank of #2 makes Midlands Technical College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,203. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,610. Set against $18,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC

A rank of #3 makes Trident Technical College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.

4

Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Rome, GA

Georgia Northwestern Technical 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 Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $19,749. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $43,031. That is a strong return on a $19,749 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

6

Southern Regional Technical College
Thomasville, GA

Southern Regional Technical College came in at #6 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, NC

Wilkes Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,125. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.

8

Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS

Itawamba Community College placed #8 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,583 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,123. That is a strong return on a $13,583 median debt.

10

Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.

11

Hazard Community And Technical College
Hazard, KY

Hazard Community And Technical College landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.

12

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College came in at #12 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,928 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $42,735 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Louisiana State University Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport landed the #13 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

14

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $17,373 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $36,573 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

15

Florence Darlington Technical College
Florence, SC

Florence Darlington Technical College earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.

16

Holmes Community College
Goodman, MS

Holmes Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,831. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $32,145. That is a strong return on a $10,831 median debt.

17

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $22,911 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,244. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,976. Set against $22,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

19

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $17,659 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

20

Elizabethtown Community And Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY

Elizabethtown Community And Technical College came in at #20 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,245 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn a median of $45,486 early in their careers. Set against $12,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Jefferson Community And Technical College
Louisville, KY

Jefferson Community And Technical College earned the #21 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,917 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,346. That is a strong return on a $13,917 median debt.

22

Gateway Community And Technical College
Florence, KY

Gateway Community And Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Gateway Community And Technical College earn a median of $46,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Greenville Technical College
Greenville, SC

Greenville Technical College came in at #23 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,495, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $16,411 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Greenville Technical College earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Set against $16,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

East Mississippi Community College
Scooba, MS

East Mississippi Community College came in at #24 for value in public administration & social service this year. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. That is a strong return on a $9,422 median debt.

25

Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas
Helena, AR

Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $45,190 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.