2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Snow College
Ephraim, UT

Leading the list is Snow College, our #1 best value for public administration & social service in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $14,460 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $29,355. That is a strong return on a $14,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

3

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

A rank of #3 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

College Of Southern Idaho
Twin Falls, ID

A rank of #4 makes College Of Southern Idaho one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,175. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.

5

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

College Of Western Idaho
Nampa, ID

College Of Western Idaho ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,497 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,963.

7

Casper College
Casper, WY

Casper College placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,497. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,754. That is a strong return on a $18,497 median debt.

9

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,033 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $56,393 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,033 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

10

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University landed the #10 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $55,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

11

North Idaho College
Coeur d'Alene, ID

North Idaho College placed #11 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,396, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Students borrow a median of $20,296 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. Set against $20,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,038 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $51,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

13

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $16,132 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $42,491 early in their careers. Set against $16,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

14

Lewis Clark State College
Lewiston, ID

Lewis Clark State College placed #14 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, while out-of-state students pay about $22,028. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,126. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Lewis Clark State College earn a median of $35,456 early in their careers. Set against $26,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.

15

Colorado State University Pueblo
Pueblo, CO

Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $28,785. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $39,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

16

Colorado State University Global Campus
Denver, CO

Colorado State University Global Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $44,111 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,336. Set against $44,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

17

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo placed #17 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $56,070 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

18

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #18 among the best values for public administration & social service. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $29,598. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $47,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

19

Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

Mesa State College placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $42,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

20

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #20 among the best values for public administration & social service. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Students borrow a median of $23,559 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $70,497. That is a strong return on a $23,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

21

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado landed the #21 spot for public administration & social service value this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,974 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $45,705 early in their careers. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.

22

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

The University Of Montana ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $43,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Colorado Denver earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $33,510 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,943 early in their careers. Set against $33,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

24

Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID

Idaho State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $33,250 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $41,541 early in their careers. Set against $33,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Boise State University landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $28,350 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $48,582. That is a strong return on a $28,350 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.