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Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools

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2023 Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools

1,444 Colleges
$40,520 Avg Salary
$27,642 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Public Administration & Social Service School for You

Public Administration & Social Service is the #14 most popular major in the country with 98,583 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 1,444 schools in the United States to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Public Administration & Social Service program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for public administration and social service majors pursuing a .

#1

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Our analysis found Grand Canyon University to be the most popular school for public administration and social service students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the large city of Phoenix.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at Grand Canyon University take out an average of $37,576 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $172.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Grand Canyon University Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern California. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools list. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Southern California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Arlington. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools list. Located in the large city of Arlington, UT Arlington is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from UT Arlington carry an average student debt load of $24,083.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at The University of Texas at Arlington

#5

Fordham University

Bronx, NY

Out of the 1,444 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Fordham University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Bronx, Fordham U is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from Fordham U carry an average student debt load of $27,000.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public administration and social service students. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, IUPUI is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at IUPUI take out an average of $24,178 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools ranking. Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Columbia University in the City of New York

University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular public administration and social service programs. UOPX - Arizona is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe.

On average, public administration and social service graduates from UOPX - Arizona take out $44,022 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $132.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Phoenix - Arizona

Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public administration and social service students. It came in at #9 on the list. UMA Clearwater is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Clearwater.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from UMA Clearwater carry an average student debt load of $21,740.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater Report

Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public administration and social service students. It came in at #10 on the list. Rutgers New Brunswick is a fairly large public school located in the city of New Brunswick.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at Rutgers New Brunswick accumulate an average of around $25,792 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $146.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Rutgers University - New Brunswick

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools ranking. IU Bloomington is a fairly large public school located in the city of Bloomington.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at IU Bloomington take out an average of $19,026 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $397, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Indiana University - Bloomington

#12

New York University

New York, NY

New York University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools ranking. Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

On average, public administration and social service graduates from NYU take out $23,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at New York University Report

#13

Aurora University

Aurora, IL

Aurora University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools list. Aurora is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at Aurora take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $135.

Read More…

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular public administration and social service programs. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at Ohio State accumulate an average of around $21,570 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $164.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Ohio State University - Main Campus Report

With a ranking of #15, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public administration and social service students. Located in the midsize city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from ASU - Tempe carry an average student debt load of $24,547. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $261.

Read More…

#16

Hunter College

New York, NY

Hunter College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular public administration and social service programs. Located in the city of New York, Hunter is a public college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at Hunter accumulate an average of around $10,000 in student debt.

Read More…

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular public administration and social service programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at U-M accumulate an average of around $20,375 in student debt.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Report

With a ranking of #18, University of Central Florida did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public administration and social service students. UCF is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at UCF accumulate an average of around $24,765 in student debt.

Read More…

#19

SUNY Empire State College

Saratoga Springs, NY

SUNY Empire State College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools list. SUNY Empire is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at SUNY Empire take out an average of $27,912 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at SUNY Empire State College Report

#20

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

University of Chicago ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools list. UChicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at UChicago accumulate an average of around $16,683 in student debt.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Chicago

#21

Simmons University

Boston, MA

Simmons University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools ranking. Simmons is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at Simmons take out is $27,000.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Simmons University Report

#22

University of Denver

Denver, CO

University of Denver came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools ranking. DU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at University of Denver Report

#23

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN

Purdue University Global came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools ranking. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the small city of Indianapolis.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at Purdue University Global accumulate an average of around $38,674 in student debt.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Purdue University Global

#24

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools list. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at Liberty University accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $369, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Liberty University

#25

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools list. Wayne State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Detroit.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at Wayne State take out is $28,944. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $116.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Wayne State University

#27

Troy University

Troy, AL
#31

Portland State University

Portland, OR
#35

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY
#36

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY
#39

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA
#41

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT
#41

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA
#49

Boston University

Boston, MA
#50

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

Remaining Award Winners

This list represents the remainder of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 1444 different United States public administration and social service schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
51 Florida International University Miami, FL
53 Boise State University Boise, ID
53 University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA
55 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA
56 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
57 John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY
58 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
59 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
60 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
61 Rutgers University - Newark Newark, NJ
61 University of Georgia Athens, GA
63 Salisbury University Salisbury, MD
64 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
65 Barry University Miami, FL
66 Capella University Minneapolis, MN
67 University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA
68 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
68 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
70 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
71 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
72 Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO
73 Widener University Chester, PA
74 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
75 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
76 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
77 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
78 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
79 Yeshiva University New York, NY
80 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
81 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA
82 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
82 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
84 Duke University Durham, NC
85 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
86 University at Albany Albany, NY
87 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI
87 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
89 Adelphi University Garden City, NY
90 University of Houston Houston, TX
91 Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KY
92 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY
93 Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH
94 Brandman University Irvine, CA
95 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
96 Western New Mexico University Silver City, NM
97 Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL
98 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
99 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
100 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
101 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
102 Northwestern University Evanston, IL
103 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
104 American University Washington, DC
105 University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
106 Princeton University Princeton, NJ
106 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
108 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
109 Lehman College Bronx, NY
110 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
111 Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CA
112 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
112 Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MI
114 Baruch College New York, NY
114 Georgetown University Washington, DC
116 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
117 Wichita State University Wichita, KS
117 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
117 Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH
120 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH
121 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
121 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA
123 Monroe College Bronx, NY
124 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
124 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
126 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
126 Brandeis University Waltham, MA
128 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN
128 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
130 Rhode Island College Providence, RI
131 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
132 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
132 Columbia College Columbia, MO
134 Baylor University Waco, TX
135 Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Edinboro, PA
136 Binghamton University Vestal, NY
137 University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR
138 New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY
139 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
139 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
139 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
139 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
139 North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
144 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
145 Salem State University Salem, MA
146 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
147 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ
147 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO
147 University of New England Biddeford, ME
150 Lindsey Wilson College Columbia, KY
150 LIU Post Brookville, NY
150 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
153 University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH
154 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
155 University of Oregon Eugene, OR
155 California Baptist University Riverside, CA
157 University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC
157 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
159 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
160 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH
161 Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN
161 Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL
163 University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MO
163 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
165 Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI
166 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
166 Utah State University Logan, UT
166 Jackson State University Jackson, MS
166 Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA
170 California State University - Monterey Bay Seaside, CA
171 Post University Waterbury, CT
171 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
173 Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA
173 Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX
173 Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
176 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
177 George Washington University Washington, DC
177 Cornell University Ithaca, NY
179 The College at Brockport Brockport, NY
180 Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ
180 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
182 The University of Arizona Global Campus San Diego, CA
182 University of St Thomas Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
184 Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX
185 Bryant & Stratton College - Online Orchard Park, NY
186 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
187 California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA
187 Stockton University Galloway, NJ
187 Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NY
190 Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX
190 Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ
192 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
192 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
192 Touro College New York, NY
192 Morgan State University Baltimore, MD
192 University of North Texas Denton, TX
197 University of Hawaii - West Oahu Kapolei, HI
197 Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CT
199 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
200 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
200 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
200 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
200 Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA
200 Keuka College Keuka Park, NY
205 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
205 Anna Maria College Paxton, MA
207 Towson University Towson, MD
207 Catholic University of America Washington, DC
207 California State University - Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA
210 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
210 Upper Iowa University Fayette, IA
210 University of Mississippi University, MS
213 University of Delaware Newark, DE
214 Kean University Union, NJ
215 Louisiana State University - Shreveport Shreveport, LA
215 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
215 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Public & Social Service students that almost earned our Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools award.

Rank College Location
218 Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL
219 Springfield College - School of Professional and Continuing Studies Springfield, MA
220 Smith College Northampton, MA
220 Brown University Providence, RI
222 University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras San Juan, PR
222 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
224 Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, NY
224 The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX
224 Westfield State University Westfield, MA
224 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
228 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT
229 University of California - Riverside Riverside, CA
229 Rutgers University - Camden Camden, NJ
229 The University of Montana Missoula, MT
232 Southeastern University Lakeland, FL
233 Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL
233 University of North Alabama Florence, AL
233 Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA
236 Madonna University Livonia, MI
236 Park University Parkville, MO
238 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
238 University of Southern Maine Portland, ME
240 University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WI
240 Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX
242 Villanova University Villanova, PA
242 New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NM
244 Humboldt State University Arcata, CA
245 Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT
245 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
247 Delaware State University Dover, DE
248 Rasmussen University - Florida Ocala, FL
248 University of Illinois at Springfield Springfield, IL
250 University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
250 Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OH
250 National University La Jolla, CA
250 Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
250 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
255 Alabama A & M University Normal, AL
255 Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC
255 California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CA
255 Union University Jackson, TN
255 Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY
255 Auburn University Auburn, AL
261 Utah Valley University Orem, UT
261 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA
261 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
261 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
261 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
266 University of Toledo Toledo, OH
266 The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, MN
268 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FL
269 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
269 Texas A&M University - Commerce Commerce, TX
269 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
269 University of Baltimore Baltimore, MD
269 Metropolitan College of New York New York, NY
274 Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN
274 Nazareth College Rochester, NY
274 South Texas College McAllen, TX
274 Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI
274 Ball State University Muncie, IN
279 San Diego City College San Diego, CA
279 Colorado State University - Global Campus Greenwood Village, CO
279 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
282 Springfield College Springfield, MA
283 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
283 University of Washington - Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA
283 Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, LA
286 Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN
286 Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA
288 Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, LA
288 Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC
288 Murray State University Murray, KY
288 Brescia University Owensboro, KY

Public Administration & Social Service by Region

View the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Public Administration & Social Service Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Social Work 58,326
Public Administration 16,905
Human Services 13,238
Public Policy 6,430
Community Organization & Advocacy 3,096
Other Public Administration 588

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting 142,610
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies 73,813
Legal Professions 61,055
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 4,477

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to University of the Fraser Valley.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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