2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California

1

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best school in the country for a degree in public administration & social service. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 275 public administration & social service degrees 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. Typical student debt for the program is $13,719. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of California Berkeley

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $100,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Stanford University

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 385 public administration & social service degrees 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. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $11,276 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at California State University Long Beach

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for public administration & social service. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 281 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $65,872 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of California Los Angeles

5

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at University Of San Diego, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 13 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $68,281 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of San Diego

6

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #6 for public administration & social service this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 997 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $72,462. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Southern California

7

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 380 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $54,588 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,273. Get the full public administration & social service details for California State University Fullerton

8

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 265 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Read more about the public administration & social service program at San Jose State University

9

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #9 position for public administration & social service this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 280 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $53,636 in their early career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for California State University Sacramento

10

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco came in at #10 for public administration & social service this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $87,976 in the first couple years of their career. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of San Francisco

11

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #11 position for public administration & social service this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 108 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $76,027 in their early career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,259 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at San Francisco State University

12

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of California Davis earn around $44,593 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,171 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of California Davis

13

California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay earned the #13 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 122 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $68,490 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,480. Read more about the public administration & social service program at California State University Monterey Bay

14

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $61,010 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,273. Read more about the public administration & social service program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

15

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College earned the #15 position for public administration & social service this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Fresno City College awarded about 42 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $37,470 in their early career. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $6,334 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Fresno City College

16

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 407 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $52,293 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from California State University Los Angeles

17

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 26 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $29,617 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of California Santa Cruz

18

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 256 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $52,135. Typical student debt for the program is $15,088. Read more about the public administration & social service program at San Diego State University

19

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College came in at #19 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 19 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Pomona College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $75,954 in their early career. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Pomona College

20

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University placed #20 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $54,116 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Point Loma Nazarene University

21

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 323 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from California State University Northridge earn around $64,148 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for California State University Northridge

22

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay placed #22 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 105 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $82,661. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073. See the full public administration & social service program report for California State University East Bay

23

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #23 for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Bernardino. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 277 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $51,852 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,159 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for California State University San Bernardino

24

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. California State University Chico awarded about 197 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $50,069 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000. Get the full public administration & social service details for California State University Chico

25

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno earned the #25 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 153 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $50,225 in their early career. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from California State University Fresno