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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Associate’s Degree Schools

68 Colleges in the United States
5,859 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$41,241 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public administration & social service programs.

College Factual analyzed 1482 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best public administration & social service schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in the United States

These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in public administration & social service, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service

1

Fresno City College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration & social service. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 36 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Typical student debt for the program is $6,334. Get the full public administration & social service details for Fresno City College

2

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. About 90 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $33,854 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,860 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College

3

Brookdale Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Brookdale Community College awarded about 33 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Brookdale Community College earn around $37,374 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,458 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Brookdale Community College

4

A rank of #4 makes Capital Community College one of the top schools for public administration & social service. This very large public university is located in the city of New Britain. There were roughly 163 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Capital Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Capital Community College earn around $29,555 in the first couple years of their career. Capital Community College graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Capital Community College

5

A rank of #5 makes Bristol Community College one of the top schools for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 31 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Bristol Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Bristol Community College graduates carry a median of $6,433 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Bristol Community College

6

Tulsa Community College came in at #6 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 28 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Tulsa Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $41,718 in their early career. Tulsa Community College graduates carry a median of $10,038 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Tulsa Community College

7

Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #7 position for public administration & social service this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. There were roughly 21 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $34,392 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,728. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Metropolitan Community College Area

8
Union County College crest
Union County College
Cranford, NJ

Union County College landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Cranford. Union County College awarded about 24 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $38,168. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Union County College

9

Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Cuny Bronx Community College awarded about 17 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $36,338. Cuny Bronx Community College graduates carry a median of $6,786 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Cuny Bronx Community College

10

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #10 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 25 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $80,047 in their early career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Santa Rosa Junior College

11

Orange County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Middletown. Orange County Community College awarded about 12 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Orange County Community College earn around $43,442 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,152. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Orange County Community College

12

Hudson Valley Community College landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the city of Troy. Hudson Valley Community College awarded about 27 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Hudson Valley Community College earn around $32,887 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,925. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Hudson Valley Community College

13
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Santa Ana College awarded about 28 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Typical student debt for the program is $11,196. Get the full public administration & social service details for Santa Ana College

14

Austin Community College District ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 35 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $34,003. Students borrow a median of $17,922 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Austin Community College District

15

Washtenaw Community College placed #15 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 42 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Washtenaw Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $45,332 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Get the full public administration & social service details for Washtenaw Community College

16
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College placed #16 among the best public administration & social service schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Garden City. Nassau Community College awarded about 28 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,581. Students borrow a median of $13,569 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Nassau Community College

17
Cornerstone University crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University earned the #17 position for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cornerstone University awarded about 17 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $44,501. Cornerstone University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Cornerstone University

18

University Of The Cumberlands earned the #18 position for public administration & social service this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $32,938. University Of The Cumberlands graduates carry a median of $22,783 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of The Cumberlands

19

Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. There were roughly 99 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Delaware Technical Community College Terry in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn around $30,923 in the first couple years of their career. Delaware Technical Community College Terry graduates carry a median of $9,240 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Delaware Technical Community College Terry

20
Midlands Technical College crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC

Midlands Technical College came in at #20 for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Columbia. There were roughly 31 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Midlands Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Midlands Technical College earn around $39,610 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,203. See the full public administration & social service program report for Midlands Technical College

21

Tyler Junior College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. There were roughly 32 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Tyler Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Tyler Junior College earn around $43,348 in the first couple years of their career. Tyler Junior College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Tyler Junior College

22
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Blackwood. About 19 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Camden County College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $24,616 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,219. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Camden County College

23
South Central College crest
South Central College
North Mankato, MN

South Central College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. South Central College awarded about 29 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of South Central College earn a median of $46,447 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at South Central College

24

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earned the #24 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Suny College Of Technology At Alfred in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn around $43,831 in the first couple years of their career. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred graduates carry a median of $19,721 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred

25

Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Cuny New York City College Of Technology graduates 21% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Cuny New York City College Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $42,839. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Cuny New York City College Of Technology

Rest of the Top 50 Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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

26
27
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
28
29
30
31
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY
32
Elmira College crest
Elmira College
Elmira, NY
33
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH
42
Goodwin College crest
Goodwin College
East Hartford, CT
43
44
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN
45
Rio Hondo College crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA
46
47
48
49
50

Additional Public Administration & Social Service Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for public administration & social service:

Rank School Location
#51 Suny Empire State College Saratoga Springs, NY
#68 Rasmussen College Minnesota St. Cloud, MN
#71 South Texas College McAllen, TX
#77 Monroe College Main Campus Bronx, NY
#86 Rasmussen College Florida Ocala, FL
#160 Bryant And Stratton College Online Orchard Park, NY

Honorable Mentions

A few more public administration & social service schools worth a look:

Other Public Administration & Social Service Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Public Administration & Social Service rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Public Administration & Social Service
Bachelor's Degrees in Public Administration & Social Service
Master's Degrees in Public Administration & Social Service
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View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1482 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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