2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Winona, MN

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration & social service. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Winona. About 66% of students finish within six years. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 102 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $69,785. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

2

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Bellevue University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $74,280 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,312. Get the full public administration & social service details for Bellevue University

3

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 162 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $50,855. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Washington University In St Louis

4

Creighton University
Omaha, NE

A rank of #4 makes Creighton University one of the top schools for public administration & social service. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Creighton University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Creighton University earn around $64,369 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Creighton University

5

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 204 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $63,188. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

6

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #6 position for public administration & social service this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 115 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $61,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,119. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Missouri Columbia

7

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University came in at #7 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Drake University earn a median of $67,297 early in their careers. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Drake University

8

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #8 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 86 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $65,989 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

9

Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #9 position for public administration & social service this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $67,909 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,499. Get the full public administration & social service details for Maryville University Of Saint Louis

10

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University earned the #10 position for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Hamline University awarded about 29 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $76,773. Typical student debt for the program is $25,530. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Hamline University

11

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University earned the #11 position for public administration & social service this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 44% of students finish within six years. Metropolitan State University awarded about 126 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $47,538. Metropolitan State University graduates carry a median of $29,696 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Metropolitan State University

12

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $58,285 early in their careers. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Concordia University Saint Paul

13

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #13 position for public administration & social service this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 89 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $50,207 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Minnesota State University Mankato

14

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 335 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $48,079. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Kansas

15

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 131 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $44,546. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Winona State University

16

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 197 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa 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. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Iowa

17

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. About 24 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $34,392 early in their careers. Metropolitan Community College Area graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Metropolitan Community College Area

18

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota came in at #18 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 159 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $56,786 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of North Dakota

19

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota landed the #19 spot for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the town of Vermillion. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. University Of South Dakota awarded about 42 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $67,858 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,322. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of South Dakota

20

Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Storm Lake. About 62% of students finish within six years. Buena Vista University awarded about 50 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. Buena Vista University graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Buena Vista University

21

Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University came in at #21 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 25 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Grand View University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $40,736 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,126. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Grand View University

22

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University came in at #22 for public administration & social service this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Bemidji State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $47,192 in their early career. Bemidji State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Bemidji State University

23

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #23 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 20 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $45,259. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full public administration & social service program report for Bethel University Minnesota

24

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College came in at #24 for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. St Olaf College awarded about 14 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $45,146 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the public administration & social service program at St Olaf College

25

Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College came in at #25 for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Sioux Center. Dordt College graduates 74% of students within six years. Dordt College awarded about 42 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $54,926 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Dordt College