2026 Best Social Services Public Administration Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Social Services Public Administration doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1222 schools 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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Harvard University this year in the United States. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Get the full Harvard University report
The strong Social Services Public Administration programs at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $13,719 in debt. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
A rank of #3 makes Princeton University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $10,527. More on Princeton University
The strong Social Services Public Administration programs at University Of Southern California earned it the #4 place in the United States. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. See the full University Of Southern California profile
Cornell 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 Ithaca, NY. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Cornell University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $15,750 in debt. Read more about Cornell University
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. More on University Of Pennsylvania
Duke University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $10,500. Get the full Duke University report
Loma Linda University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,960. Graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Read more about Loma Linda University
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Located 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%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
New York University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $25,000. More on New York University
George Washington University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $22,910. Get the full George Washington University report
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #13 position. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in West Chester, PA. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Read the full report on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. More on Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Chicago ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $17,492. See the full University Of Chicago profile
Clemson University placed #17 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. About 87% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read more about Clemson University
Kansas State University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $24,603 in student loans. Read the full report on Kansas State University
Capella University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $35,998. Read more about Capella University
California Baptist University did well this year, earning the #20 position. California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Riverside, CA. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $39,244. Get the full California Baptist University report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $21,000. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $15,468 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
George Mason University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $22,147. Read more about George Mason University
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $21,506. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Based in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. University Of Maryland Baltimore County Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $22,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Maryland Baltimore County report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Social Services Public Administration Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,344 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
American University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. More on American University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,396 in student loans. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Smith College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $18,941. Get the full Smith College report
Boston College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. More on Boston College
University Of Maryland Baltimore landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore is a public school based in Baltimore, MD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,638, with out-of-state students paying around $44,811. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read more about University Of Maryland Baltimore
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Columbia University In The City Of New York Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $23,258 in debt. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #33 position. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $17,553. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, 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
Boston University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $25,232. Read more about Boston University
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #36 position. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $21,500. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #37 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Yeshiva University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,800. Graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Get the full Yeshiva University report
Walden University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $52,672 in student loans. See the full Walden University profile
Case Western Reserve University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $25,106. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #41 in this year's ranking. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public school based in Las Vegas, NV. University Of Nevada Las Vegas graduates 50% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $21,995. Read the full report on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Hamline University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution. Hamline University graduates 60% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $25,530. See the full Hamline University profile
Bryn Mawr College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Bryn Mawr College is a private not-for-profit school based in Bryn Mawr, PA. Bryn Mawr College posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $65,920 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read the full report on Bryn Mawr College
University Of Utah came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. University Of Utah Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $15,038 in debt. Read more about University Of Utah
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #45 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $20,791 in student loans. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in Kutztown, PA. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $26,624 in debt. Read the full report on Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Louisville came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $25,209. See the full University Of Louisville profile
Michigan State University landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $26,285 in student loans. Read the full report on Michigan State University
University Of Arkansas landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fayetteville, AR. University Of Arkansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. 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. More on University Of Arkansas
Syracuse University placed #50 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $26,493. Get the full Syracuse University report
Related Social Services Public Administration Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Social Services Public Administration Schools (All Levels)
- 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.