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Best Public & Social Service Schools in Iowa

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2023 Best Public & Social Service Schools in Iowa

12 Colleges
$34,238 Avg Salary
$34,937 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Public Administration & Social Service School for You

In 2020-2021, 832 degrees and certificates were awarded to public administration and social service students who went to a Iowa college or university. This makes it the #15 most popular major in the state.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Public & Social Service Schools in Iowa ranking. Our analysis looked at 12 schools in Iowa to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Iowa

Check out the public administration and social service programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 10 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools

#1

Loras College

Dubuque, IA

Our 2023 rankings named Loras College the best school in Iowa for public administration and social service students. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from Loras carry an average student debtload of $27,000.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Loras College Report

Out of the 12 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Des Moines Area Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Ankeny, DMACC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at DMACC take out an average of $26,230 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Des Moines Area Community College Report

#3

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Public & Social Service Schools in Iowa list. Located in the small city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

On average, public administration and social service graduates from UNI take out $24,611 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $147.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at University of Northern Iowa Report

#4

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Drake University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Public & Social Service Schools in Iowa list. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Drake University Report

#5

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, IA

Out of the 12 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Mount Mercy University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the midsize city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at Mount Mercy take out an average of $26,234 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Mount Mercy University Report

#6

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best public administration and social service programs. Located in the rural area of Fayette, UIU is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, public administration and social service graduates from UIU take out $36,931 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Upper Iowa University

#7

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA

University of Iowa did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for public administration and social service students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at Iowa take out is $26,000.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Iowa

#8

Luther College

Decorah, IA

Luther College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best public administration and social service programs. Luther is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah.

On average, public administration and social service graduates from Luther take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

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

#9

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Public & Social Service Schools in Iowa list. Located in the midsize city of Davenport, St. Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Read More…

#10

Grand View University

Des Moines, IA

Grand View University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best public administration and social service programs. Grand View University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Des Moines.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at Grand View University take out is $27,440.

Read More…

Best Public Administration & Social Service Colleges in the Plains States Region

Explore all the Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 791
Minnesota 3,576
South Dakota 143
Missouri 1,624
Nebraska 490
North Dakota 321

Public Administration & Social Service Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Social Work 58,326
Public Administration 16,905
Human Services 13,238
Public Policy 6,430
Community Organization & Advocacy 3,096
Other Public Administration 588

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting 142,610
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies 73,813
Legal Professions 61,055
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 4,477

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 12 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to University of the Fraser Valley.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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