2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Minnesota
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Minnesota
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
Leading the list is Riverland Community College, our #1 best value for public administration & social service in Minnesota. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota, which ranked #2. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $69,785 early in their careers. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes South Central College one of the best values for public administration & social service. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,139. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $46,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,996. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $49,595. Set against $27,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,439 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.
Bemidji State University came in at #6 for value in public administration & social service this year. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $47,192 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #7 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. Students borrow a median of $39,289 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $29,762. That is a strong return on a $39,289 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #8 among the best values for public administration & social service. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. 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 $62,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Students borrow a median of $27,016 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $46,368 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,016 median debt. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Metropolitan State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,696 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $47,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Winona State University came in at #11 for value in public administration & social service this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,546. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,199. Students borrow a median of $36,597 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $36,998 early in their careers. Set against $36,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capella University placed #13 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $81,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $29,026. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $58,285. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #16 for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,111. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $44,276 early in their careers. Set against $23,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $50,207. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
St Catherine University placed #18 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $30,912 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $44,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Hamline University landed the #19 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $76,773. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Augsburg College came in at #20 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,452 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,737 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $51,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,737 median debt. Augsburg College admits about 82% of applicants.
St Olaf College came in at #21 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,146. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #22 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,170 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 Concordia College At Moorhead earn a median of $44,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
The College Of Saint Scholastica earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,778. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $37,059. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $48,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #24 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $45,259. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #25 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,923. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public administration & social service this year:
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
