Skip to main content

Cheapest Public Administration and Social Service Professions Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Empire State University stands out with the nation's lowest net cost at $11,147 for Public Administration and Social Service Professions programs, yet its graduates earn $47,260 annually. This creates an unusual value proposition in a field where earnings typically range from $21,508 to $49,058 across the 20 most affordable programs. The gap between public and private institutions reveals striking cost differences, with some private schools like Trevecca Nazarene charging nearly $30,000 in tuition while offering similar career outcomes. Federal agencies and state governments continue expanding their workforce in areas like social services coordination and public policy analysis, creating steady demand for graduates who understand both administrative processes and community needs. California leads this trend with UC Davis offering strong earnings potential at $35,060 despite relatively low student debt of $14,171. Graduation rates vary dramatically across programs, from 16.8% at Northeastern Illinois to 85.1% at UC Davis, suggesting that institutional support and student preparation differ significantly even within the same major field.
36
Programs
$11,147 – $44,876
Net Price Range
$39,662
Avg. Program Earnings
56.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

36 Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,147 $7,630 29.3%
2 $12,905 $3,483 25.6% 98.3%
3 $13,302 $15,820 65.1% 85.3%
4 $13,550 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
5 $13,869 $9,792 46.8% 94.8%
6 $14,459 $29,790 54.8% 70.9%
7 $14,514 $7,992 29.6%
8 $14,850 $12,426 51.1% 78.5%
9 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
10 $15,529 $16,400 30.0%
11 $15,987 $10,671 36.6% 98.5%
12 $16,157 $12,345 36.9% 92.1%
13 $16,179 $32,300 68.1% 90.5%
14 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
15 $17,805 $34,540 41.8% 59.1%
16 $18,486 $10,408 63.9% 67.9%
17 $18,516 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
18 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
19 $19,133 $10,017 47.4% 74.6%
20 $19,300 $32,890 46.4% 74.8%
21 $19,407 $16,586 67.6% 73.9%
22 $20,865 $11,400 48.9% 49.8%
23 $20,906 $35,685 35.9% 98.4%
24 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
25 $21,619 $52,357 61.7% 52.2%
26 $21,953 $33,930 42.6% 69.1%
27 $22,881 $20,986 95.3% 18.7%
28 $23,261 $19,112 76.4% 87.0%
29 $23,519 $17,239 85.0% 66.3%
30 $23,650 $21,450 53.5% 98.1%
31 $25,702 $35,013 28.4% 74.2%
32 $32,116 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
33 $34,802 $54,285 73.3% 85.2%
34 $35,035 $60,438 88.5% 12.5%
35 $39,207 $53,090 77.3% 83.8%
36 $44,876 $64,701 92.4% 23.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $38,000 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Empire State University charges just $11,147 net cost while some private institutions reach $19,300, primarily due to public funding subsidies. In-state tuition at Empire State costs only $7,630 compared to private schools charging $29,000 or more. Public institutions receive state appropriations that significantly reduce student costs. Private schools often provide more individual attention but at substantially higher prices.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in this field?

UC Davis achieves an 85.1% graduation rate despite charging $15,288 net cost, while Northeastern Illinois graduates only 16.8% of students at $13,550. Higher-cost private institutions like University of Detroit Mercy show 68.1% graduation rates at $16,179. The data suggests institutional resources and student support matter more than price alone. Schools with acceptance rates below 70% tend to show stronger completion outcomes.

Is there a regional pattern in earnings for Public Administration graduates?

Southern schools show mixed results with Jacksonville State graduates earning $49,058 while College of Coastal Georgia graduates earn just $21,508. California and Illinois programs produce mid-range earners around $35,000 to $45,000 annually. Geographic location affects both living costs and available government positions. Federal employment opportunities concentrate in certain metropolitan areas, influencing regional salary ranges.

Does student debt burden vary significantly across these affordable programs?

UC Davis graduates carry the lowest debt at $14,171 despite strong earning potential, while Troy University students graduate with $26,500 in debt. Jacksonville State students face $27,667 in debt but earn $49,058 annually, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios. Many programs lack reported debt data, suggesting either minimal borrowing or incomplete tracking. Public institutions generally produce lower debt burdens than private alternatives.

Where do acceptance rates indicate the most competitive programs?

UC Davis maintains the most selective admission at 37.34% acceptance while delivering strong outcomes in graduation rates and earnings. Northeastern Illinois accepts 62.7% of applicants but struggles with completion at 16.8%. Several schools like College of Coastal Georgia and Eastern Oregon accept over 98% of applicants. Higher selectivity often correlates with better institutional resources and student support systems.

More Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Rankings

Best Value Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Under $20,000

Related

All Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.