2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Idaho

[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 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 Idaho
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Brigham Young University Idaho tops our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools in Idaho. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $14,460. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $29,355 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Western Idaho earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $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 North Idaho College earned it the #3 place for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,396 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $20,296 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,489. Set against $20,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Idaho State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $33,250 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $41,541. That is a strong return on a $33,250 median debt.
University Of Idaho came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,844. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $60,531. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Lewis Clark State College placed #6 among the best values for public administration & social service. Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lewiston. Students from in state pay about $7,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,126 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $35,456. That is a strong return on a $26,126 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University came in at #7 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $28,350. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $48,517. That is a strong return on a $28,350 median debt. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwest Nazarene University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,824. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Northwest Nazarene University generally make around $49,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.