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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa

7 Colleges in the United States
734 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$45,484 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public administration & social service students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in Iowa

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public administration & social service education in Iowa.

Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service

1
Drake University crest
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 crest
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 crest
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 crest
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 crest
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 crest
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 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 crest
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 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 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 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 crest
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 crest
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 crest
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 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

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 30 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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