Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Public Administration & Social Service

Find Schools Near

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

38 Ranked Colleges
4,763 Degrees Awarded
$17,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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.

Across the Southwest region, there were 10,929 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,068 and $29,286 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 4,763 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 38 colleges that offered a degree in public administration and social service. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration and social service programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to 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 Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#15 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. Edinburg, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 158 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Rio Grande Valley has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UT Rio Grande Valley

#22 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Tyler. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Tyler, Texas, and it awarded 11 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Tyler also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Tyler are $16,308.

Full UT Tyler Public Administration & Social Service Report

#23 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Woman’s University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas Woman’s University is a fairly large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 16 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas Woman’s University Public Administration & Social Service Report

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M International University landed the #4 spot on the list. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized public school situated in Laredo, Texas. It awarded 9 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M International University, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M International University are $15,106, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Texas A&M International University

#17 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas landed the #5 spot on the list. UNT is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 82 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT also took the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618.

Full UNT Public Administration & Social Service Report

#4 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in College Station, Texas, this large public school handed out 117 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas A&M College Station Public Administration & Social Service Report

#24 in overall quality

The University of Texas at San Antonio ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 126 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #24. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807.

Full UTSA Public Administration & Social Service Report

#1 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 269 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#10 in overall quality

University of Houston landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Houston is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 250 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Houston

#10

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NSU is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern State University are $10,600, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northeastern State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#11

Western New Mexico University

Silver City, New Mexico
#6 in overall quality

Western New Mexico University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western New Mexico University is located in Silver City, New Mexico and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 139 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western New Mexico University, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western New Mexico University are $10,348, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Western New Mexico University

#12

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma
#20 in overall quality

East Central University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. ECU is located in Ada, Oklahoma and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

ECU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ECU are $11,568.

Full East Central University Public Administration & Social Service Report

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UTEP is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 68 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at El Paso are $16,180, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at The University of Texas at El Paso

#8 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 36 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Dallas has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UT Dallas

#15

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas Tech is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 28 masters’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 Texas Tech University are $17,530.

Full Texas Tech Public Administration & Social Service Report

#16

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Scottsdale, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 343 students in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong also took the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Skysong are $6,724, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at ASU - Skysong

#16

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#9 in overall quality

University of Arizona landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Arizona Public Administration & Social Service Report

#17

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in San Marcos, Texas, and it awarded 182 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#2 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large public school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 733 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also took the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Arlington are $23,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas at Arlington Public Administration & Social Service Report

#25 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. NMSU Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico that handed out 60 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#21 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - Commerce ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M Commerce is a fairly large school located in Commerce, Texas that handed out 75 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Commerce did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Commerce are $14,549.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Texas A&M University - Commerce

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SFASU is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 59 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Stephen F Austin State University are $15,695, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at SFASU

#22

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lamar University is a public institution located in Beaumont, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lamar University, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lamar University are $15,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Lamar University

#23

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. SHSU is a public institution located in Huntsville, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SHSU are $15,704, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at SHSU

#24

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#18 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. NAU is located in Flagstaff, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 52 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

NAU also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Arizona University are $19,489.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at NAU

Texas A&M University - Kingsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Texas A&M University - Kingsville is located in Kingsville, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Kingsville are $14,066, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Texas A&M Kingsville

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Public Administration Schools

Find Schools Near You