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

34 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 $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 34 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 Master’s in California 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 Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

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 University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford Public Administration & Social Service Report

#13 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 198 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 $30-$48k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #13 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 California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723.

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

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 217 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 $30-$48k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 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 - Berkeley are $29,347.

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

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #4 spot on the list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 69 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Fresno State also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#5

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 137 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #4 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 UCLA are $28,131.

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

California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 174 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884.

Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Public Administration & Social Service Report

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 108 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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

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

#8 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Long Beach, 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 355 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. 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.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#11 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#11

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, 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 $30-$48k list. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school awarded 187 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

CSUSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at CSUSB

California State University - Bakersfield 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 $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Bakersfield 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 CSUB are $18,437, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. SDSU 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at SDSU

#16 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Irvine Public Administration & Social Service Report

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 97 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Sac State

#16

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,490 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Southern California Public Administration & Social Service Report

California State University - Monterey Bay came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSUMB is located in Seaside, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 42 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Monterey Bay are $18,081.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at CSUMB

#18

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 184 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Jose State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#19 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 159 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 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 California State University - East Bay are $17,828.

Full Cal State East Bay Public Administration & Social Service Report

#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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 53 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. 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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at SFSU

#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 $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 22 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCR Public Administration & Social Service Report

California State University - San Marcos ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSM 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.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at CSUSM

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 48 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#24

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

Humboldt State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 48 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

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

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

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

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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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