2026 Best Social Services Public Administration Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Social Services Public Administration graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1222 institutions 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 produce 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Johns Hopkins University this year in the United States. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $13,426. More on Johns Hopkins University
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $18,608. Get the full Northwestern University report
The strong Social Services Public Administration programs at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #3 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. Graduates carry a median of $13,719 in student loans. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
You'll be in good company at University Of South Dakota, which ranked #4 this year. 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. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $26,322. More on University Of South Dakota
You'll be in good company at University Of Chicago, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Kansas State University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Manhattan, KS. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $24,603. More on Kansas State University
University Of North Dakota ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. University Of North Dakota is a public school based in Grand Forks, ND. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read more about University Of North Dakota
Villanova University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Read the full report on Villanova University
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,362 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #11 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Mankato, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Mankato
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $15,468 in debt. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Clemson University placed #13 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Clemson University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $23,783 in debt. Read more about Clemson University
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. More on University Of Pennsylvania
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,791 in student loans. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
New York University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Get the full New York University report
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Colorado State University Fort Collins Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $23,387 in debt. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #18 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Kansas did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $24,000. Read the full report on University Of Kansas
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $21,000. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland College Park Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Montclair State University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $25,000. See the full Montclair State University profile
University Of Southern California came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $18,000. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Florida Gulf Coast University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Fort Myers, FL, Florida Gulf Coast University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Graduates carry a median of $18,837 in student loans. More on Florida Gulf Coast University
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #26 position. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Rest of the Top 50 Best Social Services Public Administration Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Seattle University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $22,289. See the full Seattle University profile
Yeshiva University did well this year, earning the #28 position. Located in New York, NY, Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,800. Yeshiva University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $20,625 in debt. See the full Yeshiva University profile
Syracuse University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $26,493. More on Syracuse University
American University did well this year, earning the #30 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. Read more about American University
Golden Gate University San Francisco placed #31 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Set in San Francisco, CA, Golden Gate University San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,343. The median Social Services Public Administration program debt is $33,968. Get the full Golden Gate University San Francisco report
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in West Chester, PA. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. More on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Iowa landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Graduates carry a median of $25,180 in student loans. More on University Of Iowa
University Of Missouri Columbia did well this year, earning the #34 position. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
Norwich University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Set in Northfield, VT, Norwich University is a private not-for-profit institution. Norwich University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $49,740. Norwich University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $24,103 in debt. See the full Norwich University profile
California State University Northridge landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Read more about California State University Northridge
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Located in Springfield, IL, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $24,810. Get the full University Of Illinois At Springfield report
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #38 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Teaneck, NJ. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $24,770 in debt. Get the full Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus report
Aurora University placed #39 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Aurora, IL, Aurora University is a private not-for-profit institution. Aurora University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,170. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Aurora University report
George Mason University placed #40 among Social Services Public Administration schools in the United States. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. George Mason University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $22,147. More on George Mason University
University Of Nebraska At Omaha did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Graduates carry a median of $19,930 in student loans. Read more about University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Florida Atlantic University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Set in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Florida Atlantic University Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $19,749 in debt. Read more about Florida Atlantic University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $24,000. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report
Wichita State University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Set in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. See the full Wichita State University profile
California State University Long Beach did well this year, earning the #45 position. Based in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $11,276. More on California State University Long Beach
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Set in Wilmington, NC, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $22,361. See the full University Of North Carolina At Wilmington profile
University Of Utah landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. University Of Utah Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $15,038 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Utah
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school based in Athens, OH. Ohio University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,570 in student loans. See the full Ohio University Main Campus profile
University Of Denver did well this year, earning the #49 position. Set in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Denver graduates 76% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete their Social Services Public Administration program here. Read the full report on University Of Denver
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis did well this year, earning the #50 position. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public school based in Indianapolis, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Social Services Public Administration students take on a median of $20,736 in debt. See the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis profile
University Of Vermont ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Social Services Public Administration schools. Based in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. University Of Vermont posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Services Public Administration student debt is $20,000. Read more about University Of Vermont
Related Social Services Public Administration Rankings
See rankings for 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Social Services Public Administration Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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