Best colleges for Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 56 U.S. colleges offering Public Administration and Social Service Professions by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 31 states.
Public Administration and Social Service Professions programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,482 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 44.99.
About Public Administration and Social Service Professions programs
The Public Administration and Social Service Professions program offers a comprehensive education for those interested in making a difference in communities through effective public service and social work. This program is ideal for individuals seeking to develop their skills in administration and social services, preparing them for various roles in the public sector and non-profit organizations.
Learn more about Public Administration and Social Service Professions →
Students will gain knowledge in areas such as public administration, social work practices, and community engagement. Coursework may cover macro, mezzo, and micro aspects of social work, equipping graduates with the tools needed to address complex social issues.
Top 3 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,593 | 44 | 86% | — | $14,171 |
| 2 | Rutgers University - Newark Newark, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,482 | 30 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | Community College of Vermont Montpelier, VT Public · Associate degree Small program | $38,216 | 1 | 20% | — | — |
Specializations within Public Administration and Social Service Professions
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 44.99 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 31 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 9 | $44,593 | University of California-Davis |
| New Jersey | 3 | $42,482 | Rutgers University - Newark |
| Vermontlimited | 2 | $38,216 | Community College of Vermont |
| Alabamalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinois | 3 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 4 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 5 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| U.S. Virgin Islandslimited | 1 | — | — |
| West Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
Common questions
What is the focus of this program?+
The program focuses on public administration and social service practices, preparing students for roles in community service and public sector management.
What degree is typically associated with this program?+
The program often leads to a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, which is a professional qualification in social work.
What types of skills will I develop?+
Students will develop skills in administration, social work practice, and community engagement.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can pursue careers in social work, public administration, and various roles within non-profit organizations.
How much do Public Administration and Social Service Professions graduates earn?+
Public Administration and Social Service Professions graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,482, College Scorecard (2019).
What is the CIP code for Public Administration and Social Service Professions?+
Public Administration and Social Service Professions maps to CIP 44.99 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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