2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 166 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,728. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $34,392. Set against $9,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverland Community College earned it the #3 place for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Central College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Century College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $37,015. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Century College earn a median of $41,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College placed #6 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $29,500. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt.
Minot State University placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,731. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $21,773. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College generally make around $46,247. That is a strong return on a $21,773 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #9 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,930 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $48,532. That is a strong return on a $19,930 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Oglala Lakota College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,684. Graduates go on to earn a median of $22,517 ten years after entry.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Totten. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,950. Graduates go on to earn a median of $17,008 ten years after entry.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $50,319. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #13 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,241. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $25,983 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $27,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Washburn University came in at #15 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $24,623 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $45,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays State University placed #16 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $42,413. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,320 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $26,312. Set against $23,320 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #18 among the best values for public administration & social service. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $44,422. Set against $24,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,996 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $49,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,996 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $39,289. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $29,762 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $39,289 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #21 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $63,188 early in their careers. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #22 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,016. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $46,368 early in their careers. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Lake Area Technical Institute earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,718. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $26,730. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Wichita State University placed #24 among the best values for public administration & social service. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,642. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #25 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $25,433 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $32,224. That is a strong return on a $25,433 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public administration & social service this year:
Narrow Public Administration & Social Service Schools by State
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 166 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
