Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

24 Ranked Colleges
919 Degrees Awarded
$17,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Public Administration is the 47th most popular major in the country with 17,269 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,443 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 919 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

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 Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 21 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 70 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Mizzou

#3

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#12 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Cloud State University landed the #3 spot on the list. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 12 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Cloud State University are $12,904, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at St. Cloud State University

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Public Administration Report

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 63 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#6

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kansas State University are $24,115, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Kansas State University

#7

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#7 in overall quality

University of North Dakota came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, UND has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UND are $18,326.

Full UND Public Administration Report

#8

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, this medium-sized public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

USD also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Dakota are $12,637.

Read more about Public Administration at University of South Dakota

#9

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
#22 in overall quality

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and it awarded 10 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Southeast Missouri State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southeast Missouri State University are $10,792.

Read full report on Public Administration at Southeast Missouri State University

#10

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UMSL also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Missouri - St Louis

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school handed out 58 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, Missouri State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Missouri State

#12

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Hamline University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hamline University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 39 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Hamline not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline are $11,577.

Full Hamline University Public Administration Report

#13

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 28 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UMKC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UMKC

#14

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#3 in overall quality

University of Kansas landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 40 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Kansas Public Administration Report

#15

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#19 in overall quality

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

WSU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WSU are $15,112.

Full Wichita State University Public Administration Report

#16

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Metro State also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Metropolitan State University are $17,552, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Metropolitan State University

#17

Park University

Parkville, Missouri
#18 in overall quality

Park University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Parkville, Missouri, and it awarded 39 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Park University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Park University

#18

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#15 in overall quality

Lindenwood University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Lindenwood University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Lindenwood University

#19

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Louis University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 1 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SLU, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074.

Read full report on Public Administration at SLU

#20

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Capella University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Capella University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 92 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Capella University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Capella University Public Administration Report

#21

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska
#20 in overall quality

Bellevue University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Bellevue University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Bellevue University are $11,385.

Read full report on Public Administration at Bellevue University

#22

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#21 in overall quality

Webster University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Webster University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Webster, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Webster are $13,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Webster Public Administration Report

#23

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
#14 in overall quality

Drake University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Drake is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 36 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drake, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Drake University are $11,932, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Drake Public Administration Report

#24

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
#16 in overall quality

Upper Iowa University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fayette, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 19 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UIU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Upper Iowa University are $19,152, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at UIU

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Featured Public Administration Schools

Find Schools Near You