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2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

451 Ranked Colleges
49,910 Degrees Awarded
$23,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

Public Administration & Social Service is the 14th most popular major in the country with 97,666 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $39,142 and had an average of $32,304 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 49,910 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 451 colleges that offered a degree in public administration and social service. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration and social service programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree public administration & social service students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (With Aid)

#1

Baruch College

New York, New York
Top 20% in overall quality

Out of the 451 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Baruch College landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 195 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Baruch also did well on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baruch are $20,880, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#2

Hunter College

New York, New York
Top 15% in overall quality

Out of the 451 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Hunter College landed the #2 spot on the list. Hunter is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 544 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Hunter is in the top on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hunter are $20,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Hunter Public Administration & Social Service Report

#3

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. Harvard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 515 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Harvard University

Top 20% in overall quality

Out of the 451 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, John Jay College of Criminal Justice landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in New York, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 224 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

John Jay also claimed a top spot on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at John Jay are $20,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 198 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#6

Lehman College

Bronx, New York

Lehman College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Bronx, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 81 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lehman College are $21,000.

Full Lehman College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 468 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree public administration & social service students with aid list, UW Seattle has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW Seattle Public Administration & Social Service Report

California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 174 masters’s public administration and social service degrees 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.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at CSUDH

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 69 masters’s public administration and social service degrees 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 - Fresno are $17,581.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Fresno State

#10

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#4 in overall quality

Princeton University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Princeton, New Jersey, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 96 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Princeton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Princeton University Public Administration & Social Service Report

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. UT Rio Grande Valley is a large school located in Edinburg, Texas that handed out 158 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

#12

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 15% in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 222 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill excels when it comes to public administration and social service quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UNC Chapel Hill

California State University - Northridge came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 410 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUN Public Administration & Social Service Report

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid 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 California State University - Stanislaus are $18,540, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

Top 20% in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 355 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, CSULB also did well on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

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

California State University - Fullerton landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 114 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#17

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
Top 10% in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 137 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

UCLA also claimed a top spot on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UCLA

#18

York College

Jamaica, New York

York College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. York College is a medium-sized school located in Jamaica, New York that handed out 16 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at York are $20,948.

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

Top 25% in overall quality

Florida International University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 95 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Florida International University

#20

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

With a ranking of #20, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 187 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

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

#21

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 217 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. 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.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UC Berkeley

Top 10% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 210 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UW - Madison is in the top on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Public Administration & Social Service Report

Indiana University - Northwest came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana University - Northwest is a small public school situated in Gary, Indiana. It awarded 19 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Northwest are $18,275.

Full IU Northwest Public Administration & Social Service Report

#24

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, New York

College of Staten Island CUNY landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Staten Island, New York 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 43 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSI are $21,080.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at College of Staten Island CUNY

California State University - Bakersfield landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 108 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437.

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

Rest of the Best 51 in Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

Not only did these schools make the top 51 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Western New Mexico University

Silver City, New Mexico
#27

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#31

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#32

Rhode Island College

Providence, Rhode Island
#35

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio
#37

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#40

The City College of New York

New York, New York
#43

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
#44

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia
#45

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington
#46

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#48

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#49

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#50

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#50

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
52 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
53 University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WI
54 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
55 Texas Woman’s University Denton, TX
56 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
57 University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK
58 Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL
59 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
60 Rutgers University - Newark Newark, NJ
61 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
62 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
63 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
64 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
65 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
66 California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA
Rank College Location
67 California State University - Monterey Bay Seaside, CA
68 University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA

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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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