by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.
Tohono Oodham Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools in Arizona. Set in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $932. Median earnings reach $39,229 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rio Salado College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,679. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cochise College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Phoenix College earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned it the #5 place for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $21,752. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,750. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Arizona State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $21,761 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,494. That is a strong return on a $21,761 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $45,534 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $58,121. That is a strong return on a $45,534 median debt.
Northern Arizona University landed the #10 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $42,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $44,518 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Prescott College earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. Students from in state pay about $34,490 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Prescott College generally make around $44,151. Set against $27,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Prescott College admits about 94% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University came in at #13 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $36,382. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.