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Master's Degree in Public Administration & Social Service

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Master’s Degrees in Public Administration & Social Service

49,660 Yearly Graduations
$46,107 Median Salary
79% Women
A master's degree in public administration and social service is offered at 602 colleges in the United States. In recent years, the majority of the students getting degrees in this area were female, and 42% were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 4.4% of public administration and social service graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Public Administration & Social Service Majors

In 2020-2021, 49,660 master's degrees were awarded to public administration and social service majors. This earns it the #5 spot on the list of the most popular master's degree programs in the nation.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in public administration and social service at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Master’s Degree 49,660
Graduate Certificate 2,152
Doctor’s Degree 1,440

Earnings of Public Administration & Social Service Majors With Master’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in public administration and social service is $46,107. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $41,972 and the high is $52,549.

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Student Debt

The data on debt ranges for public administration and social service majors who have their master's degree is not available.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their master's degree in public administration and social service. About 78.9% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 10,475
Women 39,185
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The racial-ethnic distribution of public administration and social service master’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 1,809
Black or African American 9,106
Hispanic or Latino 7,966
White 24,405
International Students 2,162
Other Races/Ethnicities 4,212
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There are 602 colleges that offer a master’s degree in public administration and social service. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
1,272 Yearly Graduations
83% Women
62% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The most popular school in the United States for public administration and social service students seekinga master's degree is Walden University. Roughly 49,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,064 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,651 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 1,272 people received their master's degree in public administration and social service from Walden University. About 83% of this group were women, and 62% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#2

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
1,182 Yearly Graduations
78% Women
58% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 2nd most popular school in the country for public administration and social service majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Southern California. Roughly 46,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,446 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $60,446 per year. The public administration and social service program at University of Southern California awarded 1,182 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 58% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 78% were women.

#3

Fordham University

Bronx, New York
1,036 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
55% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Fordham University comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public administration and social service. Roughly 16,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,730 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $23,112 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 1,036 master's degrees were handed out to public administration and social service majors at Fordham U. Around 55% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 90% were women.

861 Yearly Graduations
76% Women
35% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Columbia University in the City of New York is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public administration and social service. Each year, around 30,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $50,496 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 861 master's degrees were handed out to public administration and social service majors at Columbia. Of these students, 76% were women and 35% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

753 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
58% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The University of Texas at Arlington comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public administration and social service. Each year, around 48,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,206 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,015 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 753 master's degrees were handed out to public administration and social service majors at UT Arlington. Of these students, 89% were women and 58% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#6

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey
734 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
47% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Rutgers University - New Brunswick is the 6th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public administration and social service. Roughly 50,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,536 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $18,180 per year. The public administration and social service program at Rutgers University - New Brunswick awarded 734 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 86% of this group were women, and 47% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#7

New York University

New York, New York
692 Yearly Graduations
81% Women
37% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 7th most popular school in the country for public administration and social service majors who are seeking their master's degree is New York University. Roughly 52,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $53,770 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $35,982 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 692 people received their master's degree in public administration and social service from NYU. About 81% of this group were women, and 37% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#8

Hunter College

New York, New York
622 Yearly Graduations
84% Women
63% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 8th most popular school in the country for public administration and social service majors who are seeking their master's degree is Hunter College. Roughly 24,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,090 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 622 people received their master's degree in public administration and social service from Hunter. Around 63% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 84% were women.

#9

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts
555 Yearly Graduations
87% Women
34% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 9th most popular school in the country for public administration and social service majors who are seeking their master's degree is Simmons University. Each year, around 6,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $41,872 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $21,384 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 555 people received their master's degree in public administration and social service from Simmons. Of these students, 87% were women and 34% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#10

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
552 Yearly Graduations
79% Women
34% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public administration and social service. Roughly 47,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,865 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $24,902 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 552 master's degrees were handed out to public administration and social service majors at U-M. Of these students, 79% were women and 34% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

551 Yearly Graduations
81% Women
25% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public administration and social service. Roughly 29,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,883 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,228 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 551 master's degrees were handed out to public administration and social service majors at IUPUI. About 81% of this group were women, and 25% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#12

University of Denver

Denver, Colorado
509 Yearly Graduations
91% Women
32% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Denver comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public administration and social service. Each year, around 13,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $53,640 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $53,640 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 509 people received their master's degree in public administration and social service from DU. Around 32% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 91% were women.

#13

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
507 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
34% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Aurora University comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public administration and social service. Each year, around 6,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $26,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,100 per year. The public administration and social service program at Aurora University awarded 507 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 88% were women and 34% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

438 Yearly Graduations
81% Women
18% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 14th most popular school in the country for public administration and social service majors who are seeking their master's degree is Ohio State University - Main Campus. Each year, around 61,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,018 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,560 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 438 master's degrees were handed out to public administration and social service majors at Ohio State. About 81% of this group were women, and 18% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#15

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
425 Yearly Graduations
67% Women
36% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Chicago comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public administration and social service. Each year, around 17,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,256 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $62,640 per year. The public administration and social service program at University of Chicago awarded 425 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 67% of this group were women, and 36% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#16

University of Maryland - Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland
411 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
49% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Maryland - Baltimore comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public administration and social service. Each year, around 7,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,446 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,140 per year. The public administration and social service program at University of Maryland - Baltimore awarded 411 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 49% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 90% were women.

#17

California State University - Northridge

Northridge, California
390 Yearly Graduations
77% Women
38% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 17th most popular school in the country for public administration and social service majors who are seeking their master's degree is California State University - Northridge. Roughly 40,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 390 people received their master's degree in public administration and social service from CSUN. Of these students, 77% were women and 38% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#18

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
365 Yearly Graduations
50% Women
28% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Harvard University comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public administration and social service. Each year, around 30,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $51,143 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $50,928 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 365 master's degrees were handed out to public administration and social service majors at Harvard. Around 28% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 50% were women.

#19

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
356 Yearly Graduations
83% Women
47% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Central Florida is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public administration and social service. Each year, around 71,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,478 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,916 per year. The public administration and social service program at University of Central Florida awarded 356 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 47% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 83% were women.

354 Yearly Graduations
85% Women
38% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public administration and social service. Roughly 34,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,038 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,132 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 354 people received their master's degree in public administration and social service from Louisiana State University. About 85% of this group were women, and 38% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

Public Administration & Social Service Majors to Study

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Social Work 32,218
Public Administration 12,290
Public Policy 3,153
Human Services 1,153
Community Organization & Advocacy 633

Below are some popular majors that are similar to public administration and social service that offer master’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Law Enforcement & Firefighting 11,614
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness 9,894
Legal Professions 7,113
Military Technologies & Sciences 1,035

References

*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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