2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa

1

Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA

Our analysis ranked Iowa Central Community College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in Iowa. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,624. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt.

2

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #2. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,924 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,422. That is a strong return on a $24,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

3

Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Buena Vista University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,317 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

4

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $23,320 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $26,312. That is a strong return on a $23,320 median debt.

5

Loras College
Dubuque, IA

Loras College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,117. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

6

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #6 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,180 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

7

Clarke University
Dubuque, IA

Clarke University landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,910. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,895 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $46,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

8

Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,126. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

9

Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University came in at #9 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,642. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $37,564 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Briar Cliff University generally make around $42,935. Set against $37,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $46,918. Set against $26,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

11

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University came in at #11 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,528 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $47,344. That is a strong return on a $27,528 median debt. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.

12

Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,846. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $62,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

13

Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,050. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.

14

Luther College
Decorah, IA

Luther College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $30,372. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

15

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Drake University earn a median of $67,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.