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

31 Ranked Colleges
3,595 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 31 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. 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 Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k

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

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

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 270 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for UPenn is $12,020 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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.

Full UPenn Public Administration & Social Service Report

2
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carnegie Mellon University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Carnegie Mellon 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.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, Carnegie Mellon has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carnegie Mellon is $21,526 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Carnegie Mellon University

3
Community College of Philadelphia crest
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Community College of Philadelphia landed the #3 spot on the list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, Community College of Philadelphia has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Community College of Philadelphia is $16,012 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Community College of Philadelphia Public Administration & Social Service Report

4
Dickinson crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Dickinson College landed the #4 spot on the 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.

Dickinson did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Dickinson College is $19,300 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

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

5
Bryn Mawr crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Bryn Mawr College landed the #5 spot on the list. Bryn Mawr is a small school located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania that handed out 66 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Bryn Mawr did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bryn Mawr is $20,159 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

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. 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%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Bryn Mawr

6
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Area Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. HACC is a fairly large public school situated in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 27 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

HACC also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #25. It costs about $12,773 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend HACC.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Harrisburg Area Community College

7

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 188 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

Edinboro also took the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Edinboro is $16,208 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

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

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. 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.

SRU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for SRU is $19,050 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at SRU

9
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 197 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

WCUPA also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $19,085 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full West Chester University of Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service Report

10
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #10, Temple University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 219 ’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 $48-$75k list, Temple has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $21,568 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Temple.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

11

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Pitt is a large public school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 357 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pitt, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $24,139 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 Pitt Public Administration & Social Service Report

12

California University of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in California, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 67 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal U also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal U is $18,197 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Cal U

13
Etown crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #13, Elizabethtown College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

Etown also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $20,761 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Etown.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Etown Public Administration & Social Service Report

14
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $22,731 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Millersville.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Millersville University of Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service Report

15
Cairn crest
Cairn University
Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Cairn University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cairn is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. It awarded 16 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $21,941 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cairn.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Cairn

16

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 also took the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $22,881 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Kutztown University.

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

17

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Bloomsburg is a medium-sized school located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 57 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Bloomsburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is $19,879 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Bloomsburg Public Administration & Social Service Report

18
Ship crest
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 79 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Ship did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $22,033 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

Full Ship Public Administration & Social Service Report

19
LHU crest
Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lock Haven University is a small public school situated in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. It awarded 24 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

LHU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend LHU is $21,086 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at LHU

20
Marywood crest
Marywood University
Scranton, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #20, Marywood University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Marywood University is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 86 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Marywood also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marywood is $19,734 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at Marywood University

21
CHC crest
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Chestnut Hill College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chestnut Hill College is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 65 ’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 $48-$75k list, CHC has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $21,458 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CHC.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Chestnut Hill College

22
Lincoln crest
Lincoln University
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania

Lincoln University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 98 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lincoln, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $20,526 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Lincoln University.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Lincoln

23
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

Villanova University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Villanova is a private not-for-profit institution located in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 114 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Villanova, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Villanova University is $28,580 for Pennsylvania 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 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Villanova University Public Administration & Social Service Report

24
EU crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, Pennsylvania

Eastern University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern University is $20,383 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full EU Public Administration & Social Service Report

25
Lancaster Bible College crest
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #25, Lancaster Bible College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 26 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Lancaster Bible College is $19,844 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

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