2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa

1

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Our analysis ranked Drake University the best school in the country for a degree in public administration & social service. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. About 28 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Drake University earn a median of $67,297 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273. Get the full public administration & social service details for Drake University

2

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Iowa awarded about 197 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $44,523. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,180 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Iowa

3

Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #3. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Storm Lake. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 50 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Buena Vista University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $44,780 in their early career. Buena Vista University graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Buena Vista University

4

Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. Grand View University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Grand View University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $40,736 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,126 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Grand View University

5

Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Sioux Center. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 42 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Dordt College in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,812. See the full public administration & social service program report for Dordt College

6

Loras College
Dubuque, IA

Loras College landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Loras College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $43,117. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Loras College

7

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 143 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $44,422 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,924 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Northern Iowa

8

Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University earned the #8 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Briar Cliff University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Briar Cliff University earn around $42,935 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $37,564 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Briar Cliff University

9

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Davenport. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Ambrose University awarded about 56 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Saint Ambrose University earn around $47,344 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Saint Ambrose University

10

Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University earned the #10 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Upper Iowa University graduates 33% of students within six years. Upper Iowa University awarded about 74 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $62,402 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,846 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Upper Iowa University

11

Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA

Iowa Central Community College earned the #11 position for public administration & social service this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Fort Dodge. About 11 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $39,624 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,500. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Iowa Central Community College

12

Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College earned the #12 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 10 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Wartburg College in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $46,918 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Wartburg College

13

Luther College
Decorah, IA

Luther College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Luther College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $30,372. Luther College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Luther College

14

Clarke University
Dubuque, IA

Clarke University earned the #14 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Clarke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $46,552 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,895. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Clarke University

15

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ankeny. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 35 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $26,312 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,320. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Des Moines Area Community College