2026 Best Social Services Public Administration Schools
Looking for the best Social Services Public Administration programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 1222 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Social Services Public Administration Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 Social Services Public Administration school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $10,527. Read the full report on Princeton University
Harvard University came in at #2 on this year's Social Services Public Administration ranking in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Harvard University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. More on Harvard University
Out of the 1222 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of California Berkeley landed the #3 spot. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,719 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Out of the 1222 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #4 spot. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
Duke University came in at #5 on this year's Social Services Public Administration ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Get the full Duke University report
Cornell University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full Cornell University profile
Elizabethtown College landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elizabethtown College posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,950. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $26,599. See the full Elizabethtown College profile
Northwestern University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $18,608. Get the full Northwestern University report
Georgetown University placed #9 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Georgetown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Read more about Georgetown University
University Of South Dakota did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Vermillion, SD. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full University Of South Dakota profile
York County Community College placed #11 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Wells, ME, York County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $10,773. More on York County Community College
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Bethel University Minnesota posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Bethel University Minnesota Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full Bethel University Minnesota profile
Winona State University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $27,000. See the full Winona State University profile
University Of Chicago came in at #14 in this year's ranking. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $17,492. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Minot State University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Minot, ND, Minot State University is a public institution. Minot State University graduates 45% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,702. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $27,000. Get the full Minot State University report
Brown University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Brown University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $10,345 in debt. Get the full Brown University report
Bemidji State University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Bemidji State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $27,000. See the full Bemidji State University profile
St Catherine University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $30,912. Get the full St Catherine University report
Loma Linda University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Loma Linda, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $29,960. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $25,094. Read more about Loma Linda University
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public school based in Moorhead, MN. Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates 57% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $27,000. See the full Minnesota State University Moorhead profile
University Of Maryland Baltimore did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,638, while out-of-state students pay about $44,811. University Of Maryland Baltimore Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. See the full University Of Maryland Baltimore profile
Nebraska Wesleyan University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Set in Lincoln, NE, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates 66% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,572. Nebraska Wesleyan University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $34,750 in debt. Read more about Nebraska Wesleyan University
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #25 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Graduates carry a median of $26,303 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin River Falls
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #26 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Based in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $23,000. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $23,529. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Social Services Public Administration Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Camden County College landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Camden County College is a public school based in Blackwood, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $9,219. More on Camden County College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,860 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College profile
San Jose State University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. See the full San Jose State University profile
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public school based in Mankato, MN. Minnesota State University Mankato posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $24,250. More on Minnesota State University Mankato
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #32 position. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $18,000. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Villanova University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Villanova University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $26,184 in debt. More on Villanova University
University Of California Los Angeles placed #34 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $16,097. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
George Washington University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. More on George Washington University
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $16,155. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Marquette University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,170. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $19,500. Read more about Marquette University
Kansas State University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Located in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $24,603. More on Kansas State University
University Of San Francisco did well this year, earning the #39 position. Located in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. University Of San Francisco Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $23,935 in debt. More on University Of San Francisco
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $17,396. Get the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus report
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Marshall, MN. Southwest Minnesota State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $27,016. More on Southwest Minnesota State University
Clemson University placed #42 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $23,783. More on Clemson University
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Reno, NV. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Graduates carry a median of $17,905 in student loans. More on University Of Nevada Reno
Saint Martins University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Based in Lacey, WA, Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,510. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $22,818. Get the full Saint Martins University report
Granite State College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Located in Manchester, NH, Granite State College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 23%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,724, compared with $9,284 for out-of-state students. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $37,605. Read more about Granite State College
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Based in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. In-state tuition and fees run about $54,398. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $23,923. Read more about University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Marian University Wisconsin landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fond Du Lac, WI, Marian University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,204. Students borrow a median of $27,242 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. More on Marian University Wisconsin
University Of North Dakota did well this year, earning the #50 position. Located in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $26,000. Read more about University Of North Dakota
The College Of Saint Scholastica ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Duluth, MN. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $41,778. The College Of Saint Scholastica Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $37,059 in debt. More on The College Of Saint Scholastica
Trinity College did well this year, earning the #53 position. Trinity College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hartford, CT. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,770. Graduates carry a median of $23,161 in student loans. More on Trinity College
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #54 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $23,258 in debt. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Loras College came in at #55 in this year's ranking. Set in Dubuque, IA, Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Loras College
Best Social Services Public Administration Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Social Services Public Administration Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Social Services Public Administration Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Social Services Public Administration Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Social Services Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Social Services Public Administration Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Social Services Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Social Services Public Administration Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1222 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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