2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 85 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 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, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,728. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $34,392. That is a strong return on a $9,728 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Riverland Community College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Marys University Of Minnesota one of the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,081. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $69,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
South Central College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,102. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $34,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,102 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #6 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. 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.
Haskell Indian Nations University landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $600. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. Haskell Indian Nations University admits about 90% of applicants.
College Of The Ozarks landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $32,701. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Fort Hays State University placed #9 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $42,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Minot State University earned the #10 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $44,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Fort Totten, Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,950. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $17,008.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $19,930. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $49,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #13 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $50,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $27,936. Set against $25,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #15 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,996. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $49,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, 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.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #17 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,439 early in their careers. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita State University came in at #18 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $46,366. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University earned the #19 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $47,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #20 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $39,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $29,762. Set against $39,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #21 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $62,154. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,579. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $39,295. Set against $26,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,924. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $44,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #24 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,016. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $46,368. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Area Technical Institute placed #25 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,718 in tuition and fees. 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public administration & social service:
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), 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 · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 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.
