2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Wisconsin

1

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Our analysis ranked Northcentral Technical College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in Wisconsin. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,709. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,237. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $48,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at University Of Wisconsin River Falls, which ranked #3. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,303. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,870. Set against $26,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

4

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,582. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh one of the best values for public administration & social service. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,732. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,026. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Wisconsin Superior
Superior, WI

University Of Wisconsin Superior landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,166 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.

7

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,550. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $43,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

8

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $29,610. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,852. That is a strong return on a $29,610 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

9

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #9 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,398 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $61,521. That is a strong return on a $21,398 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

10

Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Alverno College placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,086. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $34,425 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $55,790 early in their careers. Set against $34,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.

11

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,562. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. Set against $25,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

13

Herzing University Madison
Madison, WI

Herzing University Madison earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $30,328 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Herzing University Madison earn a median of $53,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,328 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

14

Marian University Wisconsin
Fond Du Lac, WI

Marian University Wisconsin came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fond Du Lac. In-state tuition and fees average $35,204. Students borrow a median of $27,242 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $72,102. Set against $27,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

15

Concordia University Wisconsin
Mequon, WI

Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Wisconsin admits about 78% of applicants.

16

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University earned the #16 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $37,494 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.