College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

25 Ranked Colleges
1,304 Degrees Awarded
$17,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 16,897 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 49th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,304 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered a degree in public administration. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration programs, but they also 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 program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Public Admin Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” 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 Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region public admin students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. UMSL is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 36 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,232 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend UMSL.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMSL Public Administration Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 37 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

3

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #3 spot on the list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 107 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,559 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend Mizzou.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Missouri - Columbia

4

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 68 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students with aid list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Public Administration Report

5
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Dakota. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. University of North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UND also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $16,966 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of North Dakota Public Administration Report

6
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,634 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Winona State

7
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, South Dakota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students with aid list, USD has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,389 for plains states region public admin students with aid per year to attend University of South Dakota.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at USD

8
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 at Saint Cloud State University

9

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Public Administration Report

10
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $20,257 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The low undergrad 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Public Administration at KU

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $16,438 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full UNI Public Administration Report

12
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 10 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $18,433 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 at Kansas State University

13

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school handed out 74 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,718 for plains states region public admin students with aid per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Public Administration Report

14

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UMKC is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students with aid list, UMKC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $15,702 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at UMKC

15

Wichita State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Wichita State University is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 70 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for Wichita State University is $14,859 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

Full Wichita State University Public Administration Report

16
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #16, Capella University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Capella University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 84 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students with aid list, Capella University has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,545 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend Capella University.

Read more about Public Administration at Capella University

17
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Bellevue, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.

Bellevue University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,288 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend Bellevue University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Bellevue University Public Administration Report

18
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

Park University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Park University is located in Parkville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 72 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Park University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,619 for plains states region public admin students with aid per year to attend Park University.

Read more about Public Administration at Park University

19
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #19, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and it awarded 11 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Southeast Missouri State University also took the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration at Southeast Missouri State University

20
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Metro State also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Metropolitan State University is $16,044 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Metro State

21
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 37 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

Hamline also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Hamline is $20,474 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 more about Public Administration at Hamline University

22
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,366 for plains states region public admin students with aid per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Lindenwood University

23

Upper Iowa University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fayette, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

UIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Upper Iowa University is $24,063 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

Full UIU Public Administration Report

24
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

Drake not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Drake is $29,903 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergraduate 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Drake Public Administration Report

25
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Columbia College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Columbia College is $26,668 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

Full Columbia College Missouri Public Administration Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options