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2027 Best Public Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region

19 Colleges in the United States
846 Public Administration Degrees Awarded
$63,191 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best public administration schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Administration in the The Plains States Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public administration degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Public Administration

1

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $92,069. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for public administration. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 75 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $68,911 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Missouri Columbia

3
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #3. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. About 33 public administration degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Drake University earn around $67,297 in the first couple years of their career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Drake University

4
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Hamline University awarded about 22 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $76,773 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Hamline University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of South Dakota one of the top schools for public administration. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 30 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of South Dakota in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of South Dakota earn around $67,719 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,322. See the full public administration program report for University Of South Dakota

6
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #6 among the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 57 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $58,188. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Kansas

7

University Of North Dakota placed #7 among the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. University Of North Dakota awarded about 26 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,701. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at University Of North Dakota

8
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University placed #8 among the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. Capella University awarded about 23 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $91,474. Capella University graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Capella University

9
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #9 among the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 11 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,463. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Iowa

10

Saint Cloud State University earned the #10 position for public administration this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Saint Cloud State University awarded about 12 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Saint Cloud State University

11

University Of Missouri St Louis placed #11 among the best public administration schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 19 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Missouri St Louis earn around $53,079 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Missouri St Louis

12

Metropolitan State University landed the #12 spot for public administration this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 12 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $54,195. Typical student debt for the program is $30,822. Read more about the public administration program at Metropolitan State University

13

University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #13 for public administration this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 60 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn around $58,548 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,783. See the full public administration program report for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

14

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #14 for public administration this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 25 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $49,846 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,741. See the full public administration program report for University Of Missouri Kansas City

15

Wichita State University landed the #15 spot for public administration this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Wichita State University awarded about 49 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $52,982. Typical student debt for the program is $24,262. Get the full public administration details for Wichita State University

16

Missouri State University Springfield placed #16 among the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 57 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $42,399 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,408. Get the full public administration details for Missouri State University Springfield

17
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University earned the #17 position for public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Park University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Park University earn around $62,141 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for Park University

18
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University earned the #18 position for public administration this year. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. There were roughly 209 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Walden University earn a median of $67,390 early in their careers. Walden University graduates carry a median of $49,361 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Walden University

19

Upper Iowa University came in at #19 for public administration this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Fayette. Upper Iowa University graduates 33% of students within six years. About 37 public administration degrees were awarded at Upper Iowa University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $63,921. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Read more about the public administration program at Upper Iowa University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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