College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service

1,409 Ranked Colleges
98,583 Degrees Awarded
$34,200 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Public Administration & Social Service is the 14th most popular major in the country with 98,583 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major” ranking looked at 1,409 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration and social service. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in public administration and social service.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for public administration & social service students.

1
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grand Canyon University. The school came in at #1 for the Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major. This large school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 1,713 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 Grand Canyon University

2
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Walden University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 1,643 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Walden University

3
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern California. The school came in at #3 for the Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 1,466 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

Full University of Southern California Public Administration & Social Service Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Arlington. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major list. UT Arlington is a public institution located in Arlington, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,121 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at The University of Texas at Arlington

5
Fordham U crest
Fordham University
Bronx, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fordham University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major list. Fordham University is a fairly large school located in Bronx, New York that handed out 1,058 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Fordham University

6

Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking. Columbia is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 876 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Columbia University in the City of New York

7

Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking. Clearwater, Florida is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 848 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UMA Clearwater

8
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and it awarded 834 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Rutgers University - New Brunswick

9

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking, coming in at #9. IUPUI is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 888 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at IUPUI

10

University of Phoenix - Arizona ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large private for-profit school awarded 860 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UOPX - Arizona

11

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 787 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, 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 91%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Indiana University - Bloomington

12
NYU crest
New York University
New York, New York

New York University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 777 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at NYU

13

With a ranking of #13, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 733 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Ohio State University - Main Campus

14
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major list. Aurora University is a medium-sized school located in Aurora, Illinois that handed out 742 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

15
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, New York

Hunter College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking. Hunter College is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 677 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

16

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking, coming in at #16. Arizona State University - Tempe is a large school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 691 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at ASU - Tempe

17

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking, coming in at #17. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 674 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

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 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

18
SUNY Empire crest
SUNY Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, New York

SUNY Empire State College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking, coming in at #18. SUNY Empire is a public institution located in Saratoga Springs, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 602 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at SUNY Empire

19
Simmons crest
Simmons University
Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 578 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Simmons University

20

University of Central Florida landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 637 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UCF Public Administration & Social Service Report

21
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago ranked #21 on this year’s Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major list. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 586 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

22
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

University of Denver came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking. Located in Denver, Colorado, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 571 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 DU

23
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking, coming in at #23. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 494 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

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

24
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
Indianapolis, Indiana

Purdue University Global came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major ranking. Purdue University Global is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 554 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Purdue University Global

25
SNHU crest
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major list. Southern New Hampshire University is located in Manchester, New Hampshire and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 486 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at SNHU

Rest of the Best 52 in Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major

Not only did these schools make the top 52 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
TROY crest
Troy University
Troy, Alabama
27
28
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
37
38
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California
39
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
39
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York
41
42
43
44
45
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
46
46
48
48
50
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
50
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Most Well Attended Public Administration & Social Service Major

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

RankCollegeLocation
53John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York, NY
54University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
55Boise State UniversityBoise, ID
56University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA
57Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI
58Rutgers University - NewarkNewark, NJ
58University of GeorgiaAthens, GA
60Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD
61Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY
61Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL
63Barry UniversityMiami, FL
64Capella UniversityMinneapolis, MN
64University of KentuckyLexington, KY
66The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL
67Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI
RankCollegeLocation
68University of South Florida - Main CampusTampa, FL
69Washington University in St LouisSaint Louis, MO
70Widener UniversityChester, PA
71Florida International UniversityMiami, FL
72Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX
73University of California - BerkeleyBerkeley, CA
74University of Nevada - Las VegasLas Vegas, NV
75University of KansasLawrence, KS
76Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA
77University of Oklahoma Norman CampusNorman, OK
78University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT
78University of Nevada - RenoReno, NV
80Duke UniversityDurham, NC
81University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA
81University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY
83University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI
84Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI
85Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NY
86University of HoustonHouston, TX
86University at AlbanyAlbany, NY
88Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL
88Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville, KY
90University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY
91Cleveland State UniversityCleveland, OH
92Brandman UniversityIrvine, CA
RankCollegeLocation
93Yeshiva UniversityNew York, NY
94Saint Leo UniversitySaint Leo, FL
95University of Wisconsin - MadisonMadison, WI
96California State University - San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA
97Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ
97University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL
99San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA
100University of California - Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA
101University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN
102Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ
103Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
104American UniversityWashington, DC
105Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL
105Lehman CollegeBronx, NY
107Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno, CA
108Spring Arbor UniversitySpring Arbor, MI
109Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC
109Baruch CollegeNew York, NY
109Ohio University - Athens CampusAthens, OH
112California State University - FresnoFresno, CA
113Arkansas State University - Main CampusJonesboro, AR
113University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE
115Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH
116North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC
117Monroe CollegeBronx, NY
RankCollegeLocation
118Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA
119Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA
120University of Maryland - College ParkCollege Park, MD
121East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN
121California State University - ChicoChico, CA
121University of South Carolina - ColumbiaColumbia, SC
124Rhode Island CollegeProvidence, RI
125West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA
126University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC
126Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY
126Columbia CollegeColumbia, MO
129Baylor UniversityWaco, TX
129Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC
131Edinboro University of PennsylvaniaEdinboro, PA
132New York City College of TechnologyBrooklyn, NY
132Colorado State University - Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO
132Binghamton UniversityVestal, NY
135North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC
135Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC
135Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA
138University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND
139University of North Carolina at WilmingtonWilmington, NC
139University of New EnglandBiddeford, ME
139Missouri State University - SpringfieldSpringfield, MO
139University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, CO
RankCollegeLocation
143Lindsey Wilson CollegeColumbia, KY
144Salem State UniversitySalem, MA
145University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, AR
146University of New Hampshire - Main CampusDurham, NH
146Western New Mexico UniversitySilver City, NM
148University of OregonEugene, OR
148California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA
150Indian River State CollegeFort Pierce, FL
150University of North Carolina at PembrokePembroke, NC
152Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY
153Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown, OH
154University of Virginia - Main CampusCharlottesville, VA
155Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago, IL
155Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN
157University of Wisconsin - OshkoshOshkosh, WI
157LIU PostBrookville, NY
159Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity Center, MI
160Jackson State UniversityJackson, MS
160Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA
160Utah State UniversityLogan, UT
160Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
164California State University - Monterey BaySeaside, CA
165University of Akron Main CampusAkron, OH
165University of Missouri - St LouisSaint Louis, MO
165Post UniversityWaterbury, CT
RankCollegeLocation
168Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdoches, TX
168Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater, MA
168Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville, FL
168Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS
172The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX
172Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA
174Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY
174George Washington UniversityWashington, DC
176Monmouth UniversityWest Long Branch, NJ
176University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI
178The University of Arizona Global CampusSan Diego, CA
178University of St Thomas MinnesotaSaint Paul, MN
180Tarleton State UniversityStephenville, TX
181Stockton UniversityGalloway, NJ
181California State University - East BayHayward, CA
181Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeNew York, NY
184The College at BrockportBrockport, NY
185Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwah, NJ
186University of IowaIowa City, IA
186University of North TexasDenton, TX
186University of MemphisMemphis, TN
186Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD
186Touro CollegeNew York, NY
191Montclair State UniversityMontclair, NJ
191Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven, CT
RankCollegeLocation
191University of Hawaii - West OahuKapolei, HI
194Delaware Technical Community College - TerryDover, DE
195Keuka CollegeKeuka Park, NY
195James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA
195Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI
198Anna Maria CollegePaxton, MA
198West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV
200Millersville University of PennsylvaniaMillersville, PA
200Catholic University of AmericaWashington, DC
200California State University - BakersfieldBakersfield, CA
203Towson UniversityTowson, MD
203Upper Iowa UniversityFayette, IA
203University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA
203University of MississippiUniversity, MS
207University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC
207University of DelawareNewark, DE
209Kean UniversityUnion, NJ
210University of Wisconsin - WhitewaterWhitewater, WI
210Louisiana State University - ShreveportShreveport, LA
212Springfield College - School of Professional and Continuing StudiesSpringfield, MA

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References

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