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2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

14 Ranked Colleges
855 Degrees Awarded
$17,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Public Administration & Social Service is the 14th most popular major in the country with 97,666 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $39,142 and had an average of $32,304 in loans still to pay off.

Across Iowa, there were 855 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,059 and $32,142 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 14 colleges that offer a degree in public administration and social service. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration and social service programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in Iowa

#1

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 123 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $10,757 for Iowa Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Public Administration & Social Service Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Des Moines Area Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. DMACC is a large public school situated in Ankeny, Iowa. It awarded 44 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

DMACC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for DMACC is $7,776 for iowa public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full DMACC Public Administration & Social Service Report

#3

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school handed out 164 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $12,975 for iowa public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Iowa.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Iowa

#4

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Loras College landed the #4 spot on the list. Loras College is a small school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 19 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loras, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loras College is $16,154 for iowa public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Loras College

#5

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Buena Vista University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k. BVU is located in Storm Lake, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

BVU also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for BVU is $14,210 for Iowa Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full BVU Public Administration & Social Service Report

#6

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa

Wartburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waverly, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Wartburg also took the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wartburg College is $16,334 for iowa public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wartburg College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#7

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, Iowa

Briar Cliff University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 42 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Briar Cliff not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $20,372 for Iowa Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Briar Cliff University.

Full Briar Cliff Public Administration & Social Service Report

#8

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mount Mercy University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Mount Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Mount Mercy also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $13,992 for iowa public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mount Mercy University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Mount Mercy

#9

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

With a ranking of #9, Grand View University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Grand View University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 47 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand View University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Grand View University is $18,481 for iowa public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Grand View University

#10

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa

Luther College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Decorah, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 12 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Luther not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Luther is $16,636 for iowa public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Luther Public Administration & Social Service Report

#11

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa

With a ranking of #11, Dordt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dordt is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux Center, Iowa. It awarded 17 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Dordt also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dordt is $24,967 for Iowa Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Dordt

#12

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

Saint Ambrose University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Ambrose University is a small school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 20 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Ambrose University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $23,977 for iowa public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Ambrose University.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at St. Ambrose University

#13

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 36 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Drake not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Drake University is $25,212 for iowa public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Drake University

#14

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 128 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UIU also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $21,427 for Iowa Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Upper Iowa University.

Full Upper Iowa University Public Administration & Social Service Report

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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