College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

33 Ranked Colleges
9,390 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

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 in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

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 California, there were 9,390 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $50,986 and $22,122 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 33 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The public administration & social service school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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 California For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $48-$75k) in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 311 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $13,423 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of California - Berkeley

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 347 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $5,700 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 California State University - Los Angeles

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 205 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $8,030 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Fresno State

4
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Fresno City College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Fresno City College is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,065 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Fresno City College.

Full Fresno City College Public Administration & Social Service Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 432 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,189 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSULB.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Long Beach Public Administration & Social Service Report

6

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 223 students in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $12,644 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UCLA.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of California - Los Angeles

7

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 236 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $9,854 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUSB Public Administration & Social Service Report

8

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 469 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $9,017 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

9

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 457 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

CSUN also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $10,780 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 CSUN Public Administration & Social Service Report

10

With a ranking of #10, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 336 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $12,602 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Sac State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

11

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 134 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Bakersfield is $9,102 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at CSUB

12
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,466 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

USC also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $22,826 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Southern California.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at USC

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 338 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $6,333 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

14

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 107 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,976 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

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

15
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 375 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $14,698 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full San Diego State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

16
San Diego City College crest
San Diego City College
San Diego, California

San Diego City College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 101 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,322 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Diego City College.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at San Diego City College

17

University of California - Riverside landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 120 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCR has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $11,126 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UCR

18

California State University - East Bay ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 143 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $15,615 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Cal State East Bay

19
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 227 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $17,338 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 86%.

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

20

California State University - Monterey Bay came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Seaside, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 157 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

CSUMB also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend CSUMB is $14,319 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full CSUMB Public Administration & Social Service Report

21

With a ranking of #21, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 194 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $16,738 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

22
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 95 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $16,065 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at SFSU

23
Fresno Pacific crest
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Fresno Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 210 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Fresno Pacific is $18,293 for california public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.

Full Fresno Pacific Public Administration & Social Service Report

24

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,567 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 85%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UC Santa Cruz

25
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 113 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $16,716 for California Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Humboldt State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options