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2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

122 Ranked Colleges
1,413 Degrees Awarded
$37,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Public Administration & Social Service is the 14th most popular major in the country with 97,666 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $39,142 and had an average of $32,304 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,413 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 122 colleges that offer a degree in public administration and social service. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public administration and social service programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 24 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard also took the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654.

Full Harvard University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#2

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 122 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #2 spot on the list. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Washington University in St Louis Public Administration & Social Service Report

#3

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 17 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UChicago

#4

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 122 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #4 spot on the list. Duke University is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 1 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Duke Public Administration & Social Service Report

#5

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 122 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Princeton University landed the #5 spot on the list. Princeton, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Princeton also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Princeton Public Administration & Social Service Report

#6

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#12 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 14 degrees to qualified doctorate’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Pennsylvania

#7

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#5 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Ithaca, New York, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Cornell

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#9

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#21 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #21 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#18 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW - Madison Public Administration & Social Service Report

#11

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Full University of California - Berkeley Public Administration & Social Service Report

#12

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#15 in overall quality

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMCP is located in College Park, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UMCP also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Maryland - College Park

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#8 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified doctorate’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Columbia also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Public Administration & Social Service Report

With a ranking of #15, University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UW Seattle

Florida International University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Florida International University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#17

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Indiana University - Bloomington

#18

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

With a ranking of #18, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Florida State University

#19

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
Top 25% in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 4 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of California - Los Angeles

#20

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

Full UMN Twin Cities Public Administration & Social Service Report

#21

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #22, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NC State are $28,999, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at NC State

#23

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#23 in overall quality

Boston College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston College is a fairly large school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 4 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Boston College

With a ranking of #24, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 5 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Public Administration & Social Service Report

#25

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Athens, Georgia, this large public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UGA Public Administration & Social Service Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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