2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration & social service. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 146 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $90,072. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Johns Hopkins University

2

Duke University
Durham, NC

A rank of #2 makes Duke University one of the top schools for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Duke University awarded about 258 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Duke University earn a median of $72,813 early in their careers. Duke University graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Duke University

3

George Washington University
Washington, DC

A rank of #3 makes George Washington University one of the top schools for public administration & social service. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 144 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $76,884 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910. Read more about the public administration & social service program at George Washington University

4

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for public administration & social service. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 378 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $78,787 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Pennsylvania

5

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 191 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $71,078. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,362 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

6

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 275 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $77,640 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,719 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of California Berkeley

7

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 44 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Stanford University

8

University Of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Baltimore. University Of Maryland Baltimore awarded about 326 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $59,340 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Maryland Baltimore

9

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #9 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Rice University

10

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #10 for public administration & social service this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 193 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Northwestern University earn around $61,280 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,608 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Northwestern University

11

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #11 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 385 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $57,171 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,276. See the full public administration & social service program report for California State University Long Beach

12

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 281 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $65,872 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of California Los Angeles

13

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 88 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $83,403 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Georgetown University

14

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 210 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Cornell University earn around $70,876 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Cornell University

15

American University
Washington, DC

American University landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 262 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from American University earn around $72,223 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,139. Read more about the public administration & social service program at American University

16

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #16 position for public administration & social service this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 976 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $72,353 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. Get the full public administration & social service details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

17

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #17 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 264 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $62,017. Typical student debt for the program is $17,396. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

18

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #18 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 433 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Harvard University earn around $106,130 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Harvard University

19

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #19 spot for public administration & social service this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 377 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $57,991. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Boston University

20

Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College earned the #20 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 278 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $56,920. Typical student debt for the program is $18,101. See the full public administration & social service program report for Boston College

21

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best public administration & social service schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 25 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. See the full public administration & social service program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

22

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #22 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Yale University

23

Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 11 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Duquesne University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Duquesne University earn around $54,826 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Duquesne University

24

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder placed #24 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Colorado Boulder

25

New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #25 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 776 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $73,732 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the public administration & social service program at New York University