2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration & social service, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $14,460 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $29,355. That is a strong return on a $14,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at College Of Western Idaho, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,497. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,963.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Casper College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Students borrow a median of $12,598 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,598 median debt.
Weber State University landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,497 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $42,754. That is a strong return on a $18,497 median debt.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $33,510 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,886. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $55,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $28,785. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $39,742. That is a strong return on a $28,785 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
North Idaho College came in at #10 for value in public administration & social service this year. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. Students from in state pay about $3,396 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,296. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. Set against $20,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,033. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $56,393. Set against $22,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Idaho State University earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $33,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $41,541. Set against $33,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $16,132. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $42,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho placed #14 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $60,531. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $42,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #16 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $55,796 early in their careers. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #17 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,598 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $47,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,598 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,038 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $50,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $23,559 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $70,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,559 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis Clark State College placed #20 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,610 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,028. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,126. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $35,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Global Campus earned the #21 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $44,111 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,336. Set against $44,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,974. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $45,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Montana came in at #23 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,381. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,387 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $44,925. Set against $23,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $28,350. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $48,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,350 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public administration & social service value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
