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

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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.

In 2019-2020, 17,269 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 58th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $48,859 and had an average of $42,077 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,443 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $50,408 and $49,259 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 analyzed 24 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public administration program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific 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 make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $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

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 Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 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 UMN Twin Cities are $28,845.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mizzou is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 70 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Missouri - Columbia

#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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 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 St. Cloud State University are $12,904.

Read full report on Public Administration at Saint Cloud State University

#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 15 masters’s public admin degrees 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 University - Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Minnesota State Mankato

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 63 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Public Administration Report

#6

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

Kansas 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 #6. K -State is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 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, K -State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kansas State University are $24,115, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Kansas State University Public Administration Report

#7

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UND also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UND are $18,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UND Public Administration Report

#8

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

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. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

USD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 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 University of South Dakota are $12,637.

Full USD Public Administration Report

#9

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Southeast Missouri 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. Cape Girardeau, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 10 students 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southeast Missouri State University are $10,792, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Southeast Missouri State University

#10

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #10 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 Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Missouri - St Louis

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 58 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042.

Read more about Public Administration at Missouri State

#12

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline 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 #12. Hamline University is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, Hamline has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline are $11,577, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Hamline

#13

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMKC, the school also landed the #17 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 UMKC are $26,699.

Read more about Public Administration at UMKC

#14

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #14 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. KU is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 40 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

KU also took the #3 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 Kansas are $25,007.

Read more about Public Administration at KU

#15

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University came in at #15 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. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 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 Wichita State University are $15,112.

Read more about Public Administration at WSU

#16

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University came in at #16 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. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 5 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, Metro State has also earned the #0 rank 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Metropolitan State University

#17

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

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. Parkville, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 39 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Park University, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Park University Public Administration Report

#18

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

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 also took the #15 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Lindenwood University

#19

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University landed the #19 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 private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

SLU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Saint Louis University

#20

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella 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 #20. 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.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, Capella University has also earned the #11 rank 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Capella University

#21

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

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

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

Full Bellevue University Public Administration Report

#22

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University landed the #22 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 medium-sized school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

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 University are $13,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Webster Public Administration Report

#23

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 36 students in 2019-2020.

Drake also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Drake are $11,932, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Drake University Public Administration Report

#24

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Upper Iowa University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Iowa. It awarded 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Upper Iowa University are $19,152, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Upper Iowa University

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.

Credits

Featured Public Administration Schools

Find Schools Near You