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2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

24 Ranked Colleges
919 Degrees Awarded
$17,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 17,269 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 47th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,443 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 919 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #2 spot on the list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 70 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, Mizzou has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Mizzou

#3

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#12 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Cloud State University landed the #3 spot on the list. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Cloud State University are $12,904.

Full Saint Cloud State University Public Administration Report

#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 15 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Minnesota State Mankato

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 63 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Public Administration Report

#6

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

Kansas State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 9 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

K -State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Kansas State University are $24,115.

Read more about Public Administration at K -State

#7

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 8 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UMSL also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMSL are $30,154.

Read full report on Public Administration at UMSL

#8

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#7 in overall quality

University of North Dakota came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

UND also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of North Dakota

#9

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USD, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Dakota are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at University of South Dakota

#10

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
#22 in overall quality

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cape Girardeau, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Southeast Missouri State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southeast Missouri State University are $10,792, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Southeast Missouri State University

#11

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Hamline University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 39 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, Hamline has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline are $11,577, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Hamline University

#12

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska
#20 in overall quality

Bellevue University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Bellevue University is located in Bellevue, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, Bellevue University has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bellevue University are $11,385, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Bellevue University

#13

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#11 in overall quality

Capella University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 92 students in 2019-2020.

Capella University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767.

Read full report on Public Administration at Capella University

#14

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Metro State is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 5 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Metro State also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Metropolitan State University are $17,552.

Full Metro State Public Administration Report

#13 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Missouri State is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Missouri State Public Administration Report

#16

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#3 in overall quality

University of Kansas landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 40 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Kansas Public Administration Report

#17

Park University

Parkville, Missouri
#18 in overall quality

Park University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Park University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Parkville, Missouri. It awarded 39 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Park University, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224.

Read more about Public Administration at Park University

#18

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 28 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, UMKC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UMKC

#19

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#19 in overall quality

Wichita State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 16 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WSU are $15,112, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Wichita State University

#20

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Charles, Missouri. It awarded 13 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Lindenwood University

#21

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

SLU also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Saint Louis University

#22

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
#14 in overall quality

Drake University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Drake is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drake, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Drake University are $11,932, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Drake

#23

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#21 in overall quality

Webster University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, Webster has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Webster University are $13,500.

Read more about Public Administration at Webster University

#24

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
#16 in overall quality

Upper Iowa University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Upper Iowa University are $19,152, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Upper Iowa University Public Administration Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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