by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in public administration & social service, no school beat Sinte Gleska University this year. Sinte Gleska University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mission. In-state tuition and fees average $4,714. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $20,948.
A rank of #2 makes Black Hills State University one of the best values for public administration & social service. Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Spearfish. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,500. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Black Hills State University generally make around $39,092. Set against $31,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Black Hills State University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Lake Area Technical Institute one of the best values for public administration & social service. Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Watertown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,718. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $26,730. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Dakota one of the best values for public administration & social service. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,322 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $67,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at University Of Sioux Falls, which ranked #5. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $21,750. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,103 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Sioux Falls generally make around $46,956. That is a strong return on a $26,103 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.