2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Colorado

1

Colorado State University Global Campus
Denver, CO

Colorado State University Global Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools in Colorado. Set in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.

2

Colorado State University Pueblo
Pueblo, CO

Colorado State University Pueblo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Students borrow a median of $28,785 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $39,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,785 median debt. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.

3

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $29,598 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,855. Set against $29,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

4

Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa State College earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

5

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #5 on our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Students borrow a median of $23,559 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $70,497 early in their careers. Set against $23,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

6

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado came in at #6 for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

University Of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Colorado Denver ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

8

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

9

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,373. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $55,861. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.

10

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver earned the #10 position for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $51,342 early in their careers. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.