2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s
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” 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” ranking looked at 419 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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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” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s
The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree public administration & social service students.
Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s. BYU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 118 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Brigham Young University - Provo are $7,510, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Brigham Young University - Provo Public Administration & Social Service Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Westfield State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s. This medium-sized school is located in Westfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 112 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Westfield are $6,696, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Westfield State University
Out of the 419 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Walden University landed the #3 spot on the list. Walden University is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 1,140 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Walden University are $10,716, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Walden University
Out of the 419 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Hamline University landed the #4 spot on the list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 39 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on this list, Hamline is in the top 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline University are $11,577.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Hamline University
Out of the 419 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Aurora University landed the #5 spot on the list. Aurora is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aurora, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 474 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Aurora 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 in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora University are $13,200.
With a ranking of #6, Western New Mexico University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s list. Western New Mexico University is a public institution located in Silver City, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 139 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Western New Mexico University are $10,348, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Western New Mexico University Public Administration & Social Service Report
Seattle University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #7. Seattle U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 68 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Seattle U excels when it comes to public administration and social service quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools 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 Seattle University are $14,040.
Full Seattle U Public Administration & Social Service Report
Purdue University Global landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking. Purdue University Global is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 205 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Global are $10,674.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Purdue University Global
University of South Dakota came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 59 students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full University of South Dakota Public Administration & Social Service Report
Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #10. Scottsdale, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 343 students in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Skysong are $6,724.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at ASU - Skysong
Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 47 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 Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Minnesota State University - Mankato
Augsburg University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking. Augsburg is a private not-for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 81 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Augsburg are $13,165, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Augsburg
The College of Saint Scholastica came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 30 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at The College of Saint Scholastica are $15,502, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at St. Scholastica
Hunter College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 544 students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Hunter are $20,828.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Hunter
Anna Maria College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s list. Anna Maria College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Paxton, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 118 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Anna Maria are $10,530, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Anna Maria College
Lindenwood University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Charles, Missouri. It awarded 13 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 Lindenwood University are $9,550.
Full Lindenwood University Public Administration & Social Service Report
Villanova University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking. Villanova, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 76 students in 2019-2020.
Villanova not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Villanova University are $20,719, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Villanova
Simmons University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking. Simmons University is a medium-sized school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 576 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, Simmons also did well on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Simmons University are $21,698.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Simmons University
University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #19. University of Phoenix - Arizona is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 123 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Phoenix - Arizona are $17,096, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Phoenix - Arizona
Brescia University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking. Brescia University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Owensboro, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 30 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Brescia University are $850, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Brescia University Public Administration & Social Service Report
With a ranking of #21, Northwest Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s list. NNU is a small school located in Nampa, Idaho that handed out 39 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at NNU are $11,121, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Northwest Nazarene University Public Administration & Social Service Report
With a ranking of #22, Grand Canyon University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this large private for-profit school awarded 266 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Grand Canyon University Public Administration & Social Service Report
Golden Gate University - San Francisco landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Golden Gate University - San Francisco is also in the top of our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools 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 Golden Gate University - San Francisco are $19,705.
Full Golden Gate University - San Francisco Public Administration & Social Service Report
With a ranking of #24, Park University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s list. Park University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Parkville, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 72 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Park University
With a ranking of #25, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 59 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full St. Cloud State University Public Administration & Social Service Report
Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s
While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Rank | College | Location |
---|---|---|
51 | California Baptist University | Riverside, CA |
52 | University of Illinois at Springfield | Springfield, IL |
53 | University of St Francis | Joliet, IL |
54 | University of St Thomas Minnesota | Saint Paul, MN |
55 | Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY |
56 | St Catherine University | Saint Paul, MN |
57 | West Texas A&M University | Canyon, TX |
58 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, NE |
59 | California State University - Northridge | Northridge, CA |
60 | University of Wisconsin - Madison | Madison, WI |
61 | Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus | Teaneck, NJ |
62 | Marywood University | Scranton, PA |
63 | California State University - Fresno | Fresno, CA |
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Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in the Southeast Region
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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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to University of the Fraser Valley.
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