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2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

25 Ranked Colleges
1,304 Degrees Awarded
$14,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Public Administration is the 49th most popular major in the country with 16,897 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,304 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 25 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. 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 Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 37 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

2

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 107 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

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 $11,005 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Missouri - Columbia

3
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 36 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMSL, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $9,991 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 UMSL

4
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

UND also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,394 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Dakota.

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 at UND

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 68 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for UNOMAHA is $10,578 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Nebraska at Omaha

6
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees 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 University is $11,721 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 full report on Public Administration at Winona State University

7
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

With a ranking of #7, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNI is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UNI also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $10,513 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UNI Public Administration Report

8
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. KU 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,666 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Kansas.

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 4.3% 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 University of Kansas Public Administration Report

9

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 ’s 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 Mankato is $11,692 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

10
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of South Dakota is a medium-sized school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 37 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, USD has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Dakota is $15,495 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of South Dakota

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

Saint Cloud State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 14 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $10,348 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at St. Cloud State University

12
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 10 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $13,436 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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 Kansas State University Public Administration Report

13

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 74 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,381 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

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 full report on Public Administration at Missouri State

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMKC is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 33 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $12,724 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read more about Public Administration at UMKC

15
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Hamline is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 ’s 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 $16,522 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hamline.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%.

Full Hamline University Public Administration Report

16
WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WSU is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 70 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WSU is $11,687 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration at WSU

17
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #17, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It awarded 11 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southeast Missouri State University, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,359 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Read more about Public Administration at Southeast Missouri State University

18
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 13 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,948 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Full Lindenwood University Public Administration Report

19
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

Park University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Park University is a medium-sized school located in Parkville, Missouri that handed out 72 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Park University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Park University is $13,020 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Park University Public Administration Report

20
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Capella University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 84 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Capella University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,410 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Capella University.

Full Capella University Public Administration Report

21
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #21, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Metropolitan State University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 10 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Metro State also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Metro State is $14,794 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Public Administration at Metro State

22
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. 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. It costs about $17,383 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bellevue University.

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 more about Public Administration at Bellevue University

23
UIU crest
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, Iowa

With a ranking of #23, Upper Iowa University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fayette, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

UIU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Upper Iowa University is $25,363 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UIU Public Administration Report

24
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Drake University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 33 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drake, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $25,309 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Drake.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 1.9% 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 Drake University

25
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 6 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $30,061 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Columbia College Missouri.

Read more about Public Administration at Columbia College

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