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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Minnesota

13 Colleges in the United States
3,843 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$51,644 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public administration & social service programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 42 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 Minnesota

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

Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service

1

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. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 102 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn around $69,785 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,081. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #2. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 204 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $63,188 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,989 early in their careers. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

4
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at Hamline University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Hamline University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 29 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Hamline University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Hamline University earn around $76,773 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Hamline University

5

Metropolitan State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Metropolitan State University graduates 44% of students 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. Typical student debt for the program is $29,696. Get the full public administration & social service details for Metropolitan State University

6

Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #6 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates 45% of students within six years. Concordia University Saint Paul awarded about 26 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data 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. Get the full public administration & social service details for Concordia University Saint Paul

7

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #7 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 89 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $50,207 in their early career. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Minnesota State University Mankato

8

Winona State University came in at #8 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. Winona State University awarded about 131 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Winona State University earn around $44,546 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Winona State University

9

Bemidji State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Bemidji. About 46% of students finish within six years. Bemidji State University awarded about 38 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $47,192 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full public administration & social service program report for Bemidji State University

10

Bethel University Minnesota earned the #10 position 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. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $45,259 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Bethel University Minnesota

11
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $45,146 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from St Olaf College

12
South Central College crest
South Central College
North Mankato, MN

South Central College came in at #12 for public administration & social service this year. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. South Central College awarded about 29 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from South Central College earn around $46,447 in the first couple years of their career. South Central College graduates carry a median of $13,139 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from South Central College

13
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College came in at #13 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 95 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Augsburg College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $51,340. Augsburg College graduates carry a median of $25,737 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Augsburg College

14

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #14 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 70 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $44,276 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,111. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Minnesota Duluth

15

Saint Cloud State University earned the #15 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. About 39% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 92 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $49,595 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,996. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Saint Cloud State University

16

Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #16 for public administration & social service this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 31 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Minnesota State University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $46,368 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,016. See the full public administration & social service program report for Southwest Minnesota State University

17

Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Minnesota State University Moorhead awarded about 69 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $43,471 in their early career. Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Minnesota State University Moorhead

18
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College earned the #18 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. About 21 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Century College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Century College generally make around $41,007. Students borrow a median of $37,015 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Century College

19
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University came in at #19 for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 72 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at St Catherine University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $44,257 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,912 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for St Catherine University

20

The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #20 for public administration & social service this year. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. The College Of Saint Scholastica graduates 70% of students within six years. About 91 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at The College Of Saint Scholastica in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from The College Of Saint Scholastica earn around $48,361 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $37,059 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at The College Of Saint Scholastica

21

Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. About 35 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Rasmussen College Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $36,998. Rasmussen College Minnesota graduates carry a median of $36,597 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Rasmussen College Minnesota

22
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. Capella University awarded about 240 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Capella University earn around $83,383 in the first couple years of their career. Capella University graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Capella University

23

Riverland Community College placed #23 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 10 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Riverland Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Riverland Community College earn around $49,194 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,732. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Riverland Community College

24
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University placed #24 among the best public administration & social service schools. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 2,091 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Walden University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Walden University earn around $68,123 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $52,672 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Walden University

25

Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #25 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 21 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Minneapolis Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn around $29,762 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $39,289. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Minneapolis Community And Technical College

Rest of the Top 26 Public Administration & Social Service Schools

These schools also placed among the best for public administration & social service this year:

26

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 42 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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