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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in California

36 Ranked Colleges
5,351 Degrees Awarded
$22,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 97,666 people earned their degree in public administration and social service, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States. 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.

Across California, there were 9,336 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,497 and $34,561 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 5,351 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 36 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

The public administration & social service school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

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

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

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 23 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Stanford University

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 217 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UC Berkeley

#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 198 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Public Administration & Social Service Report

#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 69 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Fresno State Public Administration & Social Service Report

#5

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 137 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. 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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of California - Los Angeles

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 174 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at California State University - Dominguez Hills

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 108 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Stan State are $18,540, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at California State University - Stanislaus

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 114 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Cal State Fullerton

#8 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 355 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

CSULB also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Full CSULB Public Administration & Social Service Report

#11 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 410 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUN has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955.

Full CSUN Public Administration & Social Service Report

#11

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#7 in overall quality

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. San Diego State University is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 174 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at SDSU

#16 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUSB is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 187 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUSB has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at CSUSB

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUB is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 108 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Bakersfield are $18,437, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at California State University - Bakersfield

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 97 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Sac State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Sacramento Public Administration & Social Service Report

With a ranking of #16, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUMB is a medium-sized public school situated in Seaside, California. It awarded 42 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Monterey Bay are $18,081, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at CSUMB

#17

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#10 in overall quality

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 184 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790.

Full San Jose State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#18

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 1,490 students in 2019-2020.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full USC Public Administration & Social Service Report

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 159 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Cal State East Bay

#20

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#25 in overall quality

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school awarded 53 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#21

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UCR

California State University - San Marcos came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 61 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at CSUSM

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal Poly Pomona Public Administration & Social Service Report

#23 in overall quality

California State University - Chico landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school handed out 48 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Chico State also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at California State University - Chico

#25

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

Humboldt State University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 48 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Humboldt State University 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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