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2023 Most Popular Online Public & Social Service Schools

235 Colleges
$40,520 Avg Salary
$27,642 Avg Student Debt

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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Online Public & Social Service Schools ranking. This report analyzed 235 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular online programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

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

#1

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Our 2023 rankings named Grand Canyon University the most popular online school in the United States for public administration and social service students. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the 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.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Grand Canyon University

The excellent online programs at Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best public administration and social service schools in the United States. 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 debtload of $21,740.

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

The excellent online programs at University of Phoenix - Arizona helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best public administration and social service schools in the United States. UOPX - Arizona is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the large 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

#4

SUNY Empire State College

Saratoga Springs, NY

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means SUNY Empire State College is a great place for public administration and social service students pursuing an online degree. SUNY Empire is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at SUNY Empire accumulate an average of around $27,912 in student debt.

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

Out of the 235 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern New Hampshire University landed the # 5 spot on the list. SNHU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at SNHU take out is $33,220.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Southern New Hampshire University

#7

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN

Purdue University Global did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for public administration and social service students. It came in at #7 on the list. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the small city of Indianapolis.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from Purdue University Global carry an average student debtload of $38,674.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Purdue University Global Report

#8

Troy University

Troy, AL

Troy University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Public & Social Service Schools ranking. TROY is a fairly large public school located in the town of Troy.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at TROY take out an average of $33,544 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

#9

Monroe College

Bronx, NY

Monroe College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Public & Social Service Schools ranking. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College is a private for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at Monroe College take out is $23,408.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Monroe College

University of Southern California ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Online Public & Social Service Schools list. USC is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at University of Southern California Report

#11

Columbia College

Columbia, MO

With a ranking of #11, Columbia College did quite well on this year’s best schools for public administration and social service students. Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from Columbia College Missouri carry an average student debtload of $34,955.

Read More…

#12

Lindsey Wilson College

Columbia, KY

Lindsey Wilson College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for public administration and social service students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at Lindsey Wilson College take out an average of $21,916 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

Bryant & Stratton College - Online landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best public administration and social service programs. Located in the suburb of Orchard Park, Bryant & Stratton College - Online is a private for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at Bryant & Stratton College - Online take out an average of $22,551 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Bryant & Stratton College - Online Report

#14

Brandman University

Irvine, CA

Brandman University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best public administration and social service programs. Located in the city of Irvine, Brandman is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

On average, public administration and social service graduates from Brandman take out $38,298 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#15

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Online Public & Social Service Schools list. WKU is a large public school located in the small city of Bowling Green.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at WKU take out is $26,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $220.

Read More…

Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best public administration and social service programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, public administration and social service graduates from ASU - Skysong take out $24,547 in student loans while working on their degree. 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…

#17

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX

Texas State University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Public & Social Service Schools list. Texas State is a very large public school located in the small city of San Marcos.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from Texas State carry an average student debtload of $23,321. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $163.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Texas State University Report

#18

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Public & Social Service Schools ranking. UIU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the remote area of Fayette.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at UIU take out an average of $36,931 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

#19

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN

With a ranking of #19, Capella University did quite well on this year’s best schools for public administration and social service students. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Capella University Report

#20

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA

With a ranking of #20, Western Washington University did quite well on this year’s best schools for public administration and social service students. Located in the city of Bellingham, WWU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at WWU accumulate an average of around $19,418 in student debt.

Read More…

#21

Western New Mexico University

Silver City, NM

With a ranking of #21, Western New Mexico University did quite well on this year’s best schools for public administration and social service students. Located in the remote town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a public college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at Western New Mexico University take out is $34,590.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Western New Mexico University Report

Colorado State University - Global Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Online Public & Social Service Schools list. Located in the large city of Greenwood Village, Colorado State University - Global Campus is a public school with a large student population.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at Colorado State University - Global Campus accumulate an average of around $40,125 in student debt.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Colorado State University - Global Campus

With a ranking of #23, Colorado State University - Fort Collins did quite well on this year’s best schools for public administration and social service students. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at Colorado State take out is $23,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $222, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Colorado State University - Fort Collins Report

#24

South Texas College

McAllen, TX

South Texas College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best public administration and social service programs. South Texas College is a fairly large public school located in the city of McAllen.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at South Texas College take out an average of $5,098 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at South Texas College Report

#25

Post University

Waterbury, CT

With a ranking of #25, Post University did quite well on this year’s best schools for public administration and social service students. Post University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the midsize suburb of Waterbury.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from Post University carry an average student debtload of $50,973.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Post University Report

#28

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC
#29

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL
#33

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN
#35

Limestone College

Gaffney, SC

Additional Noteworthy Schools

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

Rank College Location
36 Tyler Junior College Tyler, TX
36 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
38 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
39 Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA
39 Brescia University Owensboro, KY
41 Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WI
41 National Louis University Chicago, IL
43 Murray State University Murray, KY
44 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
45 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
46 Angelo State University San Angelo, TX
47 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA
47 Lewis - Clark State College Lewiston, ID
47 Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, TX

View the Most Popular Online 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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