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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

25 Ranked Colleges
1,304 Degrees Awarded
$14,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 $30-$48k” 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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered a degree in public administration. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public administration programs that also have a lower cost than 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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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 37 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $8,609 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read more about Public Administration at UMN Twin Cities

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 107 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,386 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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 University of Missouri - Columbia

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

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UMSL also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - St Louis is $8,324 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full UMSL Public Administration Report

4
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 #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, UND has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $13,151 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

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 $30-$48k list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $11,294 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Report

6
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Winona State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 5 ’s public admin 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 $12,963 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 at Winona State

7

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Minnesota State 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 yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $12,263 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Public Administration Report

8
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #8, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.

St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,825 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

9
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Iowa is $13,175 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Administration at UNI

10
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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 $16,288 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Kansas.

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 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%.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Kansas

11
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, South Dakota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, USD has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,294 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of South Dakota.

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 at University of South Dakota

12
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

With a ranking of #12, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kansas State University is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 10 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $14,653 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Public Administration at K -State

13

With a ranking of #13, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. 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. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State is $13,144 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Public Administration Report

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 $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 33 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $13,751 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, Southeast Missouri State University has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $11,406 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration at Southeast Missouri State University

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 $30-$48k ranking. WSU is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 70 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,272 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wichita State University.

Full Wichita State University Public Administration Report

17
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lindenwood University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $13,008 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Lindenwood University

18
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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Hamline is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Hamline not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hamline University is $17,386 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Hamline University

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 $30-$48k 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Park University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Park University is $14,285 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Park University Public Administration Report

20
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bellevue University is a fairly large school located in Bellevue, Nebraska that handed out 30 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Bellevue University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,911 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bellevue University.

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 more about Public Administration at Bellevue University

21
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Metro State is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 10 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Metro State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,185 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Metropolitan State University.

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 Metropolitan State University

22
UIU crest
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. UIU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Iowa. It awarded 47 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIU is $20,104 for Plains States Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration at Upper Iowa University

23
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #23, Capella University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list.

Full Capella University Public Administration Report

24
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Drake not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Drake University is $25,332 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read more about Public Administration at Drake

25
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbia College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Columbia College Missouri is $23,958 for plains states region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration at Columbia College

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