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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Texas

32 Colleges in the United States
$23,607 Avg Student Debt
$53,858 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Badge [Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 74 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Texas

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

Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,631. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $35,345 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,227 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $18,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,227 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,922. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $34,003. Set against $17,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,701 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,701 median debt.

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6

The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service value this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,550. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $30,343. Set against $10,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #7 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $16,526. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,860. Set against $16,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

El Paso Community College landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.

10
Howard College crest
Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College came in at #10 for value in public administration & social service this year. Howard College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $41,039. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.

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Tyler Junior College earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

13

Texas Womans University earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $40,340. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

14
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

15

The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #15 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,865. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #16 position for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $31,578 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

17

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #17 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,500. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $51,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

18

Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #18 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,268 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $46,829. That is a strong return on a $27,268 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

19
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $32,705 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $37,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

20

Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #20 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,313. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $40,572 early in their careers. Set against $25,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.

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21

Jarvis Christian College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Hawkins, Jarvis Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,720. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $33,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Jarvis Christian College generally make around $30,308. That is a strong return on a $33,124 median debt.

22

University Of Houston ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $21,255. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $55,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

23

The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

24
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University came in at #24 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $35,135 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,215. Set against $35,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

25

Texas A And M University Texarkana ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,349, with out-of-state students paying around $24,680. Students borrow a median of $25,270 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Texas A And M University Texarkana generally make around $44,862. That is a strong return on a $25,270 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

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
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 74 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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