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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in Illinois

22 Ranked Colleges
2,649 Degrees Awarded
$22,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in Illinois

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 97,666 people earned their degree in public administration and social service, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States. 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.

Across Illinois, there were 4,107 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,470 and $33,864 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,649 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,267 and $46,814 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois” ranking looked at 22 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.

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

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s in Illinois”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 for a Master’s in Illinois

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois.

Top 22 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in Illinois

#1

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Aurora University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois. Located in Aurora, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 474 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Aurora also took the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora are $13,200.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Aurora

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 85 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIS are $16,757, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIS Public Administration & Social Service Report

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 152 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UIUC

#4

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Illinois State University

#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 341 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UIC

#6

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #6. Chicago, Illinois 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 261 students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Loyola Chicago

#7

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #7. University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of St Francis are $13,839.

Full University of Saint Francis Public Administration & Social Service Report

#14 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 58 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at SIUE

#9

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

Governors State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. GSU is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 54 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree public administration & social service students list, GSU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at GSU are $14,674, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#17 in overall quality

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #10. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 42 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Northeastern Illinois University

#11

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #11. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 32 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Northern Illinois University

#11 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 97 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at SIUC

#13

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #13. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 10 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Concordia University, Chicago

#14

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Dominican University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. This small school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 77 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree public administration & social service students list, Dominican U has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dominican U are $20,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Dominican University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#15

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

DePaul University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #15. DePaul University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 79 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#16

Erikson Institute

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Erikson Institute did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 20 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at The Erikson Institute, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Erikson Institute are $22,400.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at The Erikson Institute

#17

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

National Louis University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. NLU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 30 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

NLU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NLU are $12,096, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at NLU

#18

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Chicago State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Chicago State University is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 24 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

CSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chicago State University are $15,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at CSU

#19

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #19. Roosevelt is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Roosevelt also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #19. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt are $21,605.

Full Roosevelt Public Administration & Social Service Report

#20

Adler University

Chicago, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Adler University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois 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 12 students in 2019-2020.

Adler not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Adler are $37,732, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Adler University

#21

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Northwestern University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 132 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

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

#22

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

University of Chicago came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 536 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Chicago

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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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