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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

24 Ranked Colleges
1,304 Degrees Awarded
$21,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Public Administration is the 60th most popular major in the country with 16,905 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $51,352 and had an average of $29,054 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,304 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $51,943 and $34,585 respectively.

This year’s “Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The public admin school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k”.

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. 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.

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Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

1
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Dakota. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 22 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UND also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UND is $16,966 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

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%.

Read more about Public Administration at University of North Dakota

2
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Dakota. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. University of South Dakota is a public institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USD also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for USD is $19,389 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make more than $110k.

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 USD Public Administration Report

3

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #3 spot on the list. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 107 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou also took the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $16,559 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Administration at Mizzou

4

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 37 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $17,878 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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

5
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #5 for the Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 11 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k list, UNI has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $16,438 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 UNI Public Administration Report

6
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #6 on this year’s Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UMSL is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 36 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $12,232 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Public Administration Report

7
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

Winona State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $17,634 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Winona State

8
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #8, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 65 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

KU also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $20,257 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at KU

9
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

K -State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $18,433 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Administration at Kansas State University

10

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #10. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 University of Nebraska at Omaha

11
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #11. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 14 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

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 full report on Public Administration at St. Cloud State University

12

With a ranking of #12, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 5 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Public Administration Report

13

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #13 on this year’s Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 74 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State is $16,718 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Missouri State University - Springfield

14

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. UMKC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC also took the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $15,702 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMKC Public Administration Report

15
WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 70 ’s public admin 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 WSU is $14,859 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Public Administration at Wichita State University

16
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 13 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also took the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $17,366 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Lindenwood University

17
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 37 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hamline, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,474 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Hamline.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Hamline University

18
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

Park University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k 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.

Park University also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $14,619 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Park University.

Read more about Public Administration at Park University

19
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Bellevue University is a fairly large school located in Bellevue, Nebraska that handed out 30 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bellevue University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $17,288 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Bellevue University Public Administration Report

20
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #20. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that handed out 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 estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Public Administration Report

21
UIU crest
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This small school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 47 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIU is $24,063 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make more than $110k.

Full UIU Public Administration Report

22
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #22, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

Metro State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Metro State is $16,044 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 full report on Public Administration at Metro State

23
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #23. This small school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 33 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Drake did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, 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 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.

Full Drake Public Administration Report

24
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

With a ranking of #24, Columbia College did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College is $26,668 for plains states region public admin students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Columbia College Missouri Public Administration Report

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