2026 Best Public Administration Schools in Missouri
Public Administration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public administration students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Public Administration in Missouri
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri Columbia the best school in the country for a degree in public administration. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 77 public administration degrees 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
Lindenwood University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Charles. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 12 public administration degrees were awarded at Lindenwood University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Typical student debt for the program is $28,663.
Get the full public administration details for Lindenwood University
University Of Missouri Kansas City is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #3. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $49,846 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,741.
More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Missouri Kansas City
Students looking for a strong public administration program will find one at Southeast Missouri State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 12 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Southeast Missouri State University earn around $43,255 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,289 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration program report for Southeast Missouri State University
Park University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Park University graduates 37% of students within six years. About 64 public administration degrees were awarded at Park University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $62,141 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,112.
Read more about the public administration program at Park University
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for public administration this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 public administration degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $42,399 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete this degree.
Get the full public administration details for Missouri State University Springfield
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
