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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

64 Ranked Colleges
7,888 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Public Administration & Social Service is the 14th most popular major in the country with 98,583 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,520 and had an average of $27,642 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 7,888 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,821 and $32,372 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 64 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration and social service. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration and social service programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 64 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 296 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washington University in St Louis is $8,149 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at WUSTL

2

Out of the 64 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 242 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $12,911 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UMN Twin Cities

3

Out of the 64 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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 administration and social service degrees to 136 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $13,715 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Missouri - Columbia

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - St Louis. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UMSL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 162 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,291 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMSL.

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 UMSL Public Administration & Social Service Report

5
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Century College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Century College is a medium-sized school located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota that handed out 36 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Century College also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Century College is $10,922 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Century College

6

Des Moines Area Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. DMACC is located in Ankeny, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, DMACC has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,282 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Des Moines Area Community College.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Des Moines Area Community College

7
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

With a ranking of #7, Minot State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. MSU is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 78 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MSU is $11,911 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full MSU Public Administration & Social Service Report

8
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #8, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UND is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 181 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

UND also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $15,818 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UND

9
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, Winona State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,289 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Winona State University.

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 & Social Service at Winona State

10

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 103 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $14,995 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Minnesota State Mankato

11

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UMN Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $13,364 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Public Administration & Social Service Report

12

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. MSU Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 57 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

MSU Moorhead also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $15,809 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend MSU Moorhead.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at MSU Moorhead

13
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 108 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $13,140 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 & Social Service at St. Cloud State University

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 133 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

UNI also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $15,287 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

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 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%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Northern Iowa

15

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UNOMAHA is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 221 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,574 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNOMAHA Public Administration & Social Service Report

16
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 62 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, K -State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $16,868 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, 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 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Kansas State University

17
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 174 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,026 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Iowa.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Iowa Public Administration & Social Service Report

18
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #18, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 290 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, KU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,586 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Kansas.

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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Kansas

19
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Saint Louis Community College is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis Community College is $9,051 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Saint Louis Community College

20
LATI crest
Lake Area Technical Institute
Watertown, South Dakota

Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. LATI is a small school located in Watertown, South Dakota that handed out 52 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,238 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend LATI.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Lake Area Technical Institute

21

Concordia University, Saint Paul landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 21 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,980 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 & Social Service at Concordia University, Saint Paul

22

University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a medium-sized public school situated in Kearney, Nebraska. It awarded 44 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney is $16,311 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UNK

23

Wichita State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. WSU is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 204 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,581 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend WSU.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Wichita State University

24
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. St Catherine University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 72 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Kate’s also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend St. Kate’s is $15,942 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at St Catherine University

25

Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Southwest Minnesota State University is a medium-sized school located in Marshall, Minnesota that handed out 14 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,156 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southwest Minnesota State University.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Southwest Minnesota State University

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