2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa
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
Our analysis ranked Iowa Central Community College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in Iowa. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,624. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #2. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,924 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,422. That is a strong return on a $24,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Buena Vista University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,317 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $23,320 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $26,312. That is a strong return on a $23,320 median debt.
Loras College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,117. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Iowa came in at #6 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,180 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Clarke University landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,910. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,895 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $46,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Grand View University landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,126. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Briar Cliff University came in at #9 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,642. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $37,564 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Briar Cliff University generally make around $42,935. Set against $37,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wartburg College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $46,918. Set against $26,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #11 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,528 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $47,344. That is a strong return on a $27,528 median debt. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,846. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $62,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Dordt College earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,050. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
Luther College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $30,372. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Drake University earn a median of $67,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 7 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.
