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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Texas

32 Colleges in the United States
5,074 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$43,896 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 74 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 Texas

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
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Our analysis ranked Rice University the best school in the country for a degree in public administration & social service. 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. Rice University awarded about 25 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Rice University

2

A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the top schools for public administration & social service. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 378 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $59,136. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,506 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for The University Of Texas At Austin

3

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 172 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $55,944 in the first couple years of their career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Texas A And M University College Station

4

Texas Womans University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 52 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $40,340. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Texas Womans University

5

Baylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Baylor University awarded about 184 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $51,193. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,198 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Baylor University

6

The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #6 among the best public administration & social service schools. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Tyler in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for The University Of Texas At Tyler

7

Southern Methodist University placed #7 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 28 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $40,434 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $19,615 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Southern Methodist University

8

Sam Houston State University placed #8 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Sam Houston State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $46,365. Typical student debt for the program is $24,850. See the full public administration & social service program report for Sam Houston State University

9

Austin Community College District earned the #9 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 35 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District 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. See the full public administration & social service program report for Austin Community College District

10

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #10 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 102 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $45,062 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates carry a median of $17,123 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at The University Of Texas At Dallas

11

University Of Houston came in at #11 for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 305 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Houston earn around $55,656 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Houston

12

University Of North Texas came in at #12 for public administration & social service this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 123 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $46,245. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of North Texas

13

University Of Houston Downtown earned the #13 position for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the city of Houston. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 95 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Downtown in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Houston Downtown earn around $37,365 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Houston Downtown graduates carry a median of $24,186 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Houston Downtown

14

Texas Christian University came in at #14 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $42,142 early in their careers. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Texas Christian University

15

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #15 for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 1,043 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $47,179 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $21,546 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

16

Tyler Junior College ranked #16 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 35 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. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Tyler Junior College

17

Dallas Baptist University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dallas Baptist University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Dallas Baptist University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $48,822 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,819. See the full public administration & social service program report for Dallas Baptist University

18

Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #18 for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Killeen. Texas A And M University Central Texas awarded about 27 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $35,345 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Texas A And M University Central Texas

19

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #19 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 249 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $49,398 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,459 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Texas State University San Marcos

20

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin graduates 40% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

21

The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #21 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. There were roughly 35 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Brownsville in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Brownsville graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for The University Of Texas At Brownsville

22

Texas Tech University came in at #22 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 54 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $43,544 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,875 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Texas Tech University

23

University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #23 for public administration & social service this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. About 42% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas At Dallas awarded about 19 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of North Texas At Dallas

24

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #24 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 281 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from The University Of Texas Pan American earn around $43,860 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $16,526 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for The University Of Texas Pan American

25
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 184 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Tarleton State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Tarleton State University earn around $50,551 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,836 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Tarleton State University

Rest of the Top 50 Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
31
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
32
33
34
35
Howard College crest
Howard College
Big Spring, TX
36
37
38
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
39
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
40
41
42
43
44
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 74 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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