Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Public Administration & Social Service

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

30 Ranked Colleges
4,107 Degrees Awarded
$12,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 in Illinois 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 Illinois, there were 4,107 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,470 and $33,864 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 30 colleges that offered a degree in public administration and social service. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration and social service programs and 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. 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 in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 286 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $3,995 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Northwestern Public Administration & Social Service Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 721 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $2,800 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UChicago

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 235 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $8,464 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#4

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lake Land College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mattoon, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

Lake Land College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,007 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lake Land College.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Lake Land College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Springfield. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Illinois at Springfield is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 134 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend UIS is $8,323 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UIS

#6

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Belleville, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend SWIC is $6,762 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SWIC Public Administration & Social Service Report

With a ranking of #7, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 369 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,185 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIC.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Public Administration & Social Service Report

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 96 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $9,938 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Aurora is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 656 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Aurora, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora is $13,845 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Aurora

#10

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Governors State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in University Park, Illinois, this small public school awarded 98 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GSU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GSU is $12,046 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Governors State University

#11

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 46 students in 2019-2020.

WIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,526 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend WIU.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Western Illinois University

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 54 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,861 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NIU.

Full NIU Public Administration & Social Service Report

#13

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 78 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $14,999 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Illinois State University

With a ranking of #13, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 144 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $14,306 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at SIUC

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 174 students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $15,513 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Northeastern Illinois University

#16

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

With a ranking of #16, University of St Francis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Saint Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 37 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also took the #21 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Francis is $11,229 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of St Francis

#17

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dominican U is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 82 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican U is $17,586 for Illinois 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.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Dominican U

#18

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois

Quincy University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Quincy U is located in Quincy, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Quincy U also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Quincy University is $17,518 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Quincy University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#19

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Bradley University is located in Peoria, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Bradley also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley is $18,232 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Bradley Public Administration & Social Service Report

#20

Saint Augustine College

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Augustine College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 25 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

St. Augustine College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Augustine College is $12,491 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full St. Augustine College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#21

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bourbonnais, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene is $15,390 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Olivet Nazarene

#22

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 75 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend NLU is $14,403 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at National Louis University

#23

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Chicago State University is $11,844 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Chicago State University

#24

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Decatur, Illinois, and it awarded 10 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Millikin has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin University is $17,692 for illinois 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 Millikin University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#25

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,406 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Public Administration & Social Service Report

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