Cheapest Public Administration Colleges in Iowa

Public Administration students in Iowa face a dramatic cost split between public and private options. University of Northern Iowa delivers the state's most affordable program at $14,609 net cost, while private alternatives can exceed $25,000 annually. This gap matters particularly for future public servants entering Iowa's government sector, where major employers like Principal Financial and state agriculture departments offer steady career paths. The 94.95% acceptance rate at UNI makes quality public service education accessible to most applicants.

Programs

$14,609 – $25,383

Net Price Range

$51,206

Avg. Program Earnings

60.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

6 Public Administration Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, Iowa	$14,609	$9,728	68.9%	95.0%
2	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$18,165	$10,497	75.5%	90.2%
3	Buena Vista University Storm Lake, Iowa	$18,321	$40,190	47.3%	77.3%
4	Saint Ambrose University Davenport, Iowa	$22,750	$35,598	62.8%	73.9%
5	Upper Iowa University Fayette, Iowa	$23,172	$19,000	41.5%	54.2%
6	Dordt University Sioux Center, Iowa	$25,383	$35,960	65.3%	87.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $10,774 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

University of Northern Iowa costs $14,609 annually while Dordt University reaches $25,383, reflecting the public versus private divide. Public institutions receive state funding that significantly reduces student costs, whereas private schools rely heavily on tuition revenue.

How do graduation rates compare across different price points?

Iowa State University achieves the highest graduation rate at 75.50% with a mid-range cost of $18,165. Surprisingly, the most affordable option at University of Northern Iowa maintains a solid 68.90% graduation rate, proving cost doesn't necessarily correlate with completion success.

Where do Public Administration graduates typically find employment in Iowa?

Iowa's insurance sector, led by companies like Principal Financial, actively recruits public administration graduates for regulatory and compliance roles. State government positions in agriculture oversight and municipal administration also provide strong career foundations given Iowa's agricultural economy.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.