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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in Pennsylvania

31 Ranked Colleges
3,595 Degrees Awarded
$15,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 98,583 people earned their degree in public administration and social service, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,520 and had an average of $27,642 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 3,595 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,444 and $29,664 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 31 colleges that offer 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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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 in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. 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 in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k

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

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

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Pennsylvania is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 270 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, UPenn has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $1,938 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Pennsylvania.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service Report

2
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Carnegie Mellon University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k. Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carnegie Mellon, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carnegie Mellon University is $13,608 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full Carnegie Mellon University Public Administration & Social Service Report

3
Bryn Mawr crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bryn Mawr College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bryn Mawr College is located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Bryn Mawr also took the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bryn Mawr is $9,907 for Pennsylvania 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Bryn Mawr Public Administration & Social Service Report

4
Community College of Philadelphia crest
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Community College of Philadelphia. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 56 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Community College of Philadelphia, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Community College of Philadelphia is $13,594 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Community College of Philadelphia

5
Dickinson crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dickinson College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dickinson is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It awarded 16 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Dickinson has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $12,027 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Dickinson College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Dickinson

6
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #6, Harrisburg Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 27 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

HACC also took the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $10,425 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend HACC.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at HACC

7
Edinboro crest
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Edinboro is a small school located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania that handed out 188 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Edinboro, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is $13,001 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Edinboro Public Administration & Social Service Report

8
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #8, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania that handed out 41 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SRU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SRU is $15,507 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at SRU

9
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

Villanova University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Villanova is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Villanova also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $26,460 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Villanova.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Villanova Public Administration & Social Service Report

10
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #10, West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. WCUPA is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 197 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, WCUPA has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WCUPA is $16,325 for Pennsylvania 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 85%. The undergrad 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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at WCUPA

11
Cal U crest
California University of Pennsylvania
California, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #11, California University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. California University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in California, Pennsylvania that handed out 67 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal U has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $16,063 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal U.

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

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pitt is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 357 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Pitt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $17,691 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

13
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 219 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Temple, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $19,355 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Temple University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

14
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 136 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

Millersville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $18,798 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Millersville University of Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service Report

15
Bloomsburg crest
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 57 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Bloomsburg has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is $16,956 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

16
Ship crest
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #16, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 79 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Ship not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Ship is $19,488 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service Report

17
Kutztown University crest
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #17, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 106 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Kutztown University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $19,255 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kutztown University.

Full Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service Report

18
Lincoln crest
Lincoln University
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #18, Lincoln University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 98 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lincoln has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln is $17,084 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Lincoln

19
LHU crest
Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #19, Lock Haven University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 24 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

LHU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $17,898 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend LHU.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at LHU

20
Etown crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 22 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

Etown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $17,622 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Elizabethtown College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Elizabethtown College

21
Marywood crest
Marywood University
Scranton, Pennsylvania

Marywood University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 86 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Marywood also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $18,171 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Marywood University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Marywood University

22
Mansfield University crest
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #22, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Mansfield University is $8,868 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

23
Lancaster Bible College crest
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster Bible College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lancaster, Pennsylvania 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 26 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,887 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lancaster Bible College.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Lancaster Bible College

24
CHC crest
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Chestnut Hill College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Chestnut Hill College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CHC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Chestnut Hill College is $19,917 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at CHC

25
EU crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, Pennsylvania

Eastern University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. EU is located in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern University is $18,544 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at EU

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