2026 Best Social Services Public Administration Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Social Services Public Administration certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1222 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is York County Community College, our #1 Social Services Public Administration school in the United States. Set in Wells, ME, York County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $10,773. More on York County Community College
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire one of the top choices in the United States. Located 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire profile
You'll be in good company at San Diego City College, which ranked #4 this year. Based in San Diego, CA, San Diego City College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. See the full San Diego City College profile
A rank of #5 makes The College Of Saint Scholastica one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Duluth, MN, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,778. The College Of Saint Scholastica Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $37,059 in debt. Read the full report on The College Of Saint Scholastica
Century College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Century College is a public school based in White Bear Lake, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Graduates carry a median of $37,015 in student loans. See the full Century College profile
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $21,506 in debt. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. This public school is set in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $21,398 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Alaska Anchorage placed #9 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Set in Anchorage, AK, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution. Roughly 28% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,738, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. Students borrow a median of $31,750 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full University Of Alaska Anchorage profile
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Marion, IN. Indiana Wesleyan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $32,352. Graduates carry a median of $41,804 in student loans. Read more about Indiana Wesleyan University
Bristol Community College landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fall River, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Students borrow a median of $6,433 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full Bristol Community College profile
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. About 16% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $45,534. More on University Of Phoenix Arizona
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public school based in Baltimore, MD. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $22,500. Read more about University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Eastern Kentucky University placed #14 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Set in Richmond, KY, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $30,750. See the full Eastern Kentucky University profile
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Green Bay, WI, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $25,237 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Eastern Washington University did well this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Cheney, WA. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $17,109. More on Eastern Washington University
Siena College placed #17 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Siena College is a private not-for-profit school based in Loudonville, NY. Siena College graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $45,805 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,970 in student loans. Read the full report on Siena College
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #18 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school based in Pittsburgh, PA. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $24,000. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Madonna University placed #20 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Set in Livonia, MI, Madonna University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,440. Madonna University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $25,597 in debt. Get the full Madonna University report
University Of Arkansas ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. This public school is set in Fayetteville, AR. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. University Of Arkansas Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Arkansas report
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $20,736 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis profile
Cuny Hunter College placed #24 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Cuny Hunter College posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,608 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read more about Cuny Hunter College
Central Michigan University placed #25 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Mount Pleasant, MI. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $27,452. See the full Central Michigan University profile
Florida Atlantic University did well this year, earning the #26 position. Located in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $19,749. Read the full report on Florida Atlantic University
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Denver, CO, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public institution. Metropolitan State College Of Denver posts a six-year graduation rate of 31%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $29,598. See the full Metropolitan State College Of Denver profile
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #28 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public school based in Arlington, TX. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,546 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full The University Of Texas At Arlington profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Social Services Public Administration Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Boise State University placed #30 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Based in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. Boise State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $28,350 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read more about Boise State University
Wichita State University did well this year, earning the #31 position. Set in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Wichita State University
University Of Phoenix California landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Ontario, CA. University Of Phoenix California posts a six-year graduation rate of 22%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $50,453. Read the full report on University Of Phoenix California
Central Ohio Technical College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Located in Newark, OH, Central Ohio Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $8,016. Graduates carry a median of $14,619 in student loans. Read more about Central Ohio Technical College
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #35 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school based in Amherst, MA. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
Liberty University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lynchburg, VA. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,173. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $29,000. Get the full Liberty University report
San Antonio College placed #37 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in San Antonio, TX, San Antonio College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $11,839. Read more about San Antonio College
Providence College placed #40 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Providence, RI, Providence College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $63,550. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $26,833. Read the full report on Providence College
Henderson State University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Set in Arkadelphia, AR, Henderson State University is a public institution. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,244, with out-of-state students paying around $10,620. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $22,239. See the full Henderson State University profile
Southeastern University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lakeland, FL. Southeastern University graduates 44% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,950. Southeastern University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $24,993 in debt. More on Southeastern University
Tyler Junior College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Based in Tyler, TX, Tyler Junior College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $12,000. Read more about Tyler Junior College
Vincennes University placed #44 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Vincennes, IN. About 3% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about Vincennes University
Bemidji State University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. More on Bemidji State University
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. See the full Glendale Community College Glendale Az profile
Hobart William Smith Colleges landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Hobart William Smith Colleges report
Holyoke Community College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Read more about Holyoke Community College
Pine Technical College placed #42 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. See the full Pine Technical College profile
West Virginia University Institute Of Technology placed #43 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Get the full West Virginia University Institute Of Technology report
Capital University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. More on Capital University
Dine College
Dine College placed #45 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. More on Dine College
Louisiana College placed #46 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. More on Louisiana College
Manor College
Manor College placed #47 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Read more about Manor College
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #48 in this year's ranking. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
Northeastern State University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. More on Northeastern State University
Saint Josephs University came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Saint Josephs University
Related Social Services Public Administration Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Social Services Public Administration Schools (All Levels)
- 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).