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2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

18 Ranked Colleges
917 Degrees Awarded
$16,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor's in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 Virginia, there were 2,005 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 917 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 18 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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 Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 18 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in Virginia

#1

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school handed out 82 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia - Main Campus is $11,696 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Virginia Public Administration & Social Service Report

#2

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William & Mary. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, and it awarded 54 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $4,963 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend William & Mary.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at William & Mary

#3

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Tech landed the #3 spot on the list. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 28 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $14,010 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Virginia Tech

#4

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, James Madison University landed the #4 spot on the list. JMU is a large school located in Harrisonburg, Virginia that handed out 100 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JMU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend James Madison University is $15,726 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full JMU Public Administration & Social Service Report

#5

Radford University

Radford, Virginia
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Radford University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k. Radford University is a fairly large school located in Radford, Virginia that handed out 38 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Radford, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $12,355 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Radford University.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Radford University

#5 in overall quality

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution located in Richmond, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 114 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, VCU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Commonwealth University is $17,529 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full VCU Public Administration & Social Service Report

#7

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#6 in overall quality

George Mason University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. GMU is a large school located in Fairfax, Virginia that handed out 81 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, GMU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for GMU is $17,060 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at George Mason University

#8

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, Virginia
#7 in overall quality

Christopher Newport University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Newport News, Virginia, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

CNU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend CNU is $17,522 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Christopher Newport University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9

Norfolk State University

Norfolk, Virginia
#11 in overall quality

Norfolk State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Norfolk State is a medium-sized public school situated in Norfolk, Virginia. It awarded 56 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Norfolk State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Norfolk State University is $11,357 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Norfolk State Public Administration & Social Service Report

#10

Ferrum College

Ferrum, Virginia
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Ferrum College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ferrum College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ferrum, Virginia. It awarded 10 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Ferrum College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ferrum College is $19,545 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#11

Eastern Mennonite University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
#8 in overall quality

Eastern Mennonite University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Eastern Mennonite has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Mennonite is $19,512 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Eastern Mennonite University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#12

Mary Baldwin University

Staunton, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

Mary Baldwin University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mary Baldwin University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Staunton, Virginia. It awarded 22 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Mary Baldwin also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Mary Baldwin University is $14,502 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Mary Baldwin University

#13

Virginia State University

Petersburg, Virginia
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Virginia State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Virginia State is a small public school situated in Petersburg, Virginia. It awarded 28 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Virginia State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $16,410 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia State University.

Full Virginia State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#14

Virginia Union University

Richmond, Virginia
#17 in overall quality

Virginia Union University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. VUU is a small school located in Richmond, Virginia that handed out 11 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

VUU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $20,651 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Union University.

Full Virginia Union University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#15

Bluefield College

Bluefield, Virginia
#12 in overall quality

Bluefield College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Bluefield, Virginia, and it awarded 23 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Bluefield College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bluefield College is $20,443 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Bluefield College

#16

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
#16 in overall quality

Virginia Wesleyan University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. VWU is a small school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 8 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

VWU also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for VWU is $20,744 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Virginia Wesleyan University

#17

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
#18 in overall quality

Regent University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Regent University is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Regent has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Regent University is $14,525 for virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Regent University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#18

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Liberty University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 165 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Liberty University has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Liberty University is $26,124 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

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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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