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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania

15 Colleges in the United States
3,202 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$47,791 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 89 schools to find the best for public administration & social service students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in Pennsylvania

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

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Leading the list is University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 school for public administration & social service. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 378 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $78,787. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Pennsylvania

2

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 25 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. See the full public administration & social service program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #3. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Duquesne University awarded about 11 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $54,826 in their early career. Duquesne University graduates carry a median of $26,297 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Duquesne University

4

University Of Scranton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Scranton. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Scranton

5
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. 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. Villanova University awarded about 80 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data 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

6
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University came in at #6 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Drexel University awarded about 10 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Drexel University

7

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 436 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $49,060 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

8
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 10 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Lehigh University earn around $70,321 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,008. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Lehigh University

9

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for public administration & social service this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 230 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. See the full public administration & social service program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

10

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #10 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 79 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Pennsylvania State University World Campus

11

Carnegie Mellon University placed #11 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 17 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $66,915 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Carnegie Mellon University

12

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 79 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full public administration & social service details for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

13

York College Pennsylvania ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at York College Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $53,667 in their early career. York College Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for York College Pennsylvania

14
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University earned the #14 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 304 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Temple University earn a median of $48,793 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Temple University

15

Pennsylvania Western University came in at #15 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 267 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Pennsylvania Western University

16

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the town of Indiana. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn around $42,972 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,513. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

17
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College earned the #17 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 79 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Bryn Mawr College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bryn Mawr College generally make around $49,002. Typical student debt for the program is $23,069. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Bryn Mawr College

18

Widener University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 209 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Widener University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Widener University Main Campus generally make around $55,609. Widener University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Widener University Main Campus

19

Community College Of Philadelphia placed #19 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. Community College Of Philadelphia awarded about 38 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $24,893 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,242. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Community College Of Philadelphia

20

Bucks County Community College earned the #20 position for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Newtown. There were roughly 10 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Bucks County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Typical student debt for the program is $13,068. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Bucks County Community College

21
Marywood University crest
Marywood University
Scranton, PA

Marywood University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Scranton. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 70 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Marywood University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $49,452 in their early career. Marywood University graduates carry a median of $27,744 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Marywood University

22

Lancaster Bible College earned the #22 position for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lancaster. Lancaster Bible College graduates 68% of students within six years. Lancaster Bible College awarded about 30 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,200 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,388. See the full public administration & social service program report for Lancaster Bible College

23
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Harcum College placed #23 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 22 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Harcum College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Harcum College generally make around $26,558. Harcum College graduates carry a median of $23,540 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Harcum College

24
Chestnut Hill College crest
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA

Chestnut Hill College landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Chestnut Hill College graduates 49% of students within six years. Chestnut Hill College awarded about 45 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Chestnut Hill College generally make around $46,201. Chestnut Hill College graduates carry a median of $43,125 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Chestnut Hill College

25

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kutztown. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 86 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $43,122 in their early career. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,624 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

Rest of the Top 41 Public Administration & Social Service Schools

These schools also placed among the best for public administration & social service this year:

26
27
Peirce College crest
Peirce College
Philadelphia, PA
28
29
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA
30
Carlow University crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA
31
32
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania crest
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania
Lincoln University, PA
33
34
35
36
37
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA
38
39
40
41

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 89 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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