Public Administration & Social Service degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 263 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best public administration & social service schools.
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Public Administration" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA in Public Administration" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Human Services (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Human Services (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Doctorate - Human Services (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Doctorate - Human Services (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Human Services (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Human Services (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "PhD - Human Services (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "PhD - Human Services (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BSW - Social Work (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BSW - Social Work (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DSW - Social Work (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "DSW - Social Work (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSW - Social Work (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSW - Social Work (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "PhD - Social Work (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "PhD - Social Work (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Work & Social Sciences Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Social Work & Social Sciences Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Work & Social Sciences Doctorate Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Social Work & Social Sciences Doctorate Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Work & Social Sciences Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Social Work & Social Sciences Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Human Services" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Human Services" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Business Administration - Public Administration" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Business Administration - Public Administration" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 14
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 11 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 11
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 11 offers with relevance >= 0.8
Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service
Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration & social service. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 146 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $90,072 early in their careers. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Johns Hopkins University
George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #2. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. George Washington University awarded about 144 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $76,884 early in their careers. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans.
Get the full public administration & social service details for George Washington University
Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Maryland Baltimore is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #4. University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public school 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. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Maryland Baltimore
A rank of #5 makes Georgetown University one of the top schools for public administration & social service. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 88 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $83,403. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Georgetown University
Cornell University came in at #6 for public administration & social service this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 210 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $70,876 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Cornell University
American University placed #7 among the best public administration & social service schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. American University graduates 76% of students 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. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $72,223 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at American University
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #8 among the best public administration & social service schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 976 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $72,353 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Columbia University In The City Of New York
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. 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.
Get the full public administration & social service details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Duquesne University earned the #10 position for public administration & social service this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 11 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Duquesne University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $54,826 early in their careers. Duquesne University graduates carry a median of $26,297 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Duquesne University
New York University came in at #11 for public administration & social service this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students 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.
See the full public administration & social service program report for New York University
Towson University landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 73 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $36,616. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Towson University
University Of Scranton placed #13 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Scranton awarded about 13 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Scranton earn around $56,861 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Scranton graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Scranton
Cuny Hunter College earned the #14 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 641 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $51,407 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,608 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Cuny Hunter College
Rowan University placed #15 among the best public administration & social service schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 11 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $52,031 in their early career. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Rowan University
Princeton University landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 98% of students finish within six years. Princeton University awarded about 227 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $79,371 early in their careers. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,527 in student loans.
Get the full public administration & social service details for Princeton University
Villanova University came in at #17 for public administration & social service this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Villanova University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,577 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Villanova University
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #18 position for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 823 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $66,284 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,057.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Rutgers University New Brunswick
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 170 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $58,595. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
Hamilton College placed #20 among the best public administration & social service schools. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 18 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $56,158 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Hamilton College
Fordham University landed the #21 spot for public administration & social service this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 729 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Fordham University earn around $56,761 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Fordham University
Syracuse University earned the #22 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 326 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $64,056. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $26,493 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Syracuse University
Marist College earned the #23 position for public administration & social service this year. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Marist College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Marist College earn around $84,712 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,251.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Marist College
Drexel University came in at #24 for public administration & social service this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. About 10 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Typical student debt for the program is $28,838.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Drexel University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #25 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 216 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $55,767 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Maryland College Park
Rest of the Top 50 Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong public administration & social service education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 263 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).