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2025 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southwest Region

44 Colleges in the Southwest Region
10,825 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$47,851 Avg Early-Career Salary
Public Administration & Social Service is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #14 most popular degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 44 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 10,825 degrees in public administration & social service annually.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Public Administration & Social Service School

Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southwest Region Your choice of public administration & social service school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Public Administration & Social Service School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Public Administration & Social Service Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Public Administration & Social Service
Bachelor's Degrees in Public Administration & Social Service
Master's Degrees in Public Administration & Social Service
Doctor's Degrees in Public Administration & Social Service

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in the Southwest Region

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the public administration & social service degree levels they offer.

10 Top Southwest Region Schools in Public Administration & Social Service

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
357 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
1.4% Growth in Graduates

Every student who is interested in public administration & social service has to take a look at The University of Texas at Austin. UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the city of Austin. A Best Colleges rank of #46 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UT Austin is a great university overall.

There were approximately 357 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available. Those public administration & social service students who get their degree from The University of Texas at Austin make $8,527 more than the average public administration & social service graduate.

More information about a degree in public administration & social service from The University of Texas at Austin

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
622 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$50,911 Median Starting Salary

Arizona State University - Tempe is a wonderful choice for students interested in a degree in public administration & social service. Located in the midsize city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #108 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means ASU - Tempe is a great university overall.

There were approximately 622 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service degree recipients from Arizona State University - Tempe receive an earnings boost of about $3,061 above the average earnings of public administration & social service majors.

More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Arizona State University - Tempe

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MBA in Public Administration Program Name

Fit new strategic skills into your public service passion and goals when you earn an MBA in Public Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in MBA in Public Administration from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,015 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$50,851 Median Starting Salary

It's hard to beat The University of Texas at Arlington if you wish to pursue a degree in public administration & social service. UT Arlington is a very large public university located in the large city of Arlington. A Best Colleges rank of #304 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UT Arlington is a great university overall.

There were approximately 1015 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at UT Arlington in the most recent year we have data available. Public Administration & Social Service degree recipients from The University of Texas at Arlington get an earnings boost of about $3,000 over the typical earnings of public administration & social service majors.

More information about a degree in public administration & social service from The University of Texas at Arlington

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
348 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
19.5% Growth in Graduates

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration & social service. University of Oklahoma is a very large public university located in the midsize suburb of Norman. A Best Colleges rank of #191 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means University of Oklahoma is a great university overall.

There were approximately 348 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University of Oklahoma in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the public administration & social service program at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus get $5,932 above the average college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
188 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$51,193 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Waco, Baylor is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #150 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Baylor is a great university overall.

There were roughly 188 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Baylor in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the public administration & social service degree program at Baylor University earn $3,342 more than the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Baylor University

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,856 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
7.7% Growth in Graduates

Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university located in the city of Phoenix. A Best Colleges rank of #144 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Grand Canyon University is a great university overall.

There were approximately 1856.0000000000002 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the public administration & social service program make about $43,120 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Grand Canyon University

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
44 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$40,434 Median Starting Salary

SMU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Dallas. A Best Colleges rank of #142 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SMU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 44 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at SMU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the public administration & social service program make an average of $40,434 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Southern Methodist University

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BA in Human Services Program Name

Improve the lives of individuals, families and communities with the human service tools gained from this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BA in Human Services from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
665 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$42,149 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Phoenix, UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #83 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UOPX - Arizona is a great university overall.

There were roughly 665 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at UOPX - Arizona in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the public administration & social service program state that they receive average early career earnings of $42,149.

More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University of Phoenix - Arizona

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
78 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$42,316 Median Starting Salary

University of Arizona is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Tucson. A Best Colleges rank of #110 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means University of Arizona is a great university overall.

There were about 78 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients generally earn around $42,316 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University of Arizona

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
288 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$51,192 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of San Antonio, OLLU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 47th out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 288 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at OLLU in the most recent year we have data available. Those public administration & social service students who get their degree from Our Lady of the Lake University make $3,342 more than the standard public administration & social service student.

More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Our Lady of the Lake University

Best Public Administration & Social Service Colleges by State

Explore the best public administration & social service colleges for a specific state in the Southwest Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Arizona 38 4,051
Texas 38 5,462
New Mexico 38 428
Oklahoma 38 506

View All Rankings >

Public Administration & Social Service Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Public Administration 1,811
Human Services 1,252
Community Organization & Advocacy 865
Public Policy 556
Other Public Administration 11

View All Public Administration & Social Service Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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