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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

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 Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Public Administration is the 47th most popular major in the country with 17,269 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

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 Getting Aid” 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 15 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#2

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Cloud State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. St. Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Saint Cloud State University

#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 #3 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 63 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students with aid list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNOMAHA Public Administration Report

#4

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - St Louis. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UMSL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 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 University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154.

Read more about Public Administration at UMSL

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 70 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193.

Read full report on Public Administration at Mizzou

#6

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students with aid list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#7

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#6 in overall quality

University of South Dakota ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. USD is located in Vermillion, South Dakota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

USD also took 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of South Dakota Public Administration Report

#8

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

Kansas State University 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 Getting Aid ranking. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students 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.

Full Kansas State University Public Administration Report

#9

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#7 in overall quality

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees 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 UND are $18,326, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Dakota Public Administration Report

#10

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Southeast Missouri State University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southeast Missouri State University are $10,792, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Public Administration Report

#11

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students 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.

Read more about Public Administration at Metropolitan State University

#12

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Bellevue University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bellevue, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 23 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students with aid list, Bellevue University has also earned the #20 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 Bellevue University are $11,385.

Full Bellevue University Public Administration Report

#13

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students with aid 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.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Public Administration Report

#13 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school handed out 58 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Public Administration Report

#15

Park University

Parkville, Missouri
#18 in overall quality

Park University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Park University is a fairly large school located in Parkville, Missouri that handed out 39 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Park University also took 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

#16

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#19 in overall quality

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

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students with aid list, WSU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Wichita State University

#17

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Hamline University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid 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.

Hamline not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline University are $11,577, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Hamline University Public Administration Report

#18

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#3 in overall quality

University of Kansas ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

KU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at KU

#19

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#11 in overall quality

Capella University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Capella University is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 92 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students with aid list, Capella University has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Capella University

#20

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#15 in overall quality

Lindenwood University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Saint Charles, 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 13 students in 2019-2020.

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

Full Lindenwood University Public Administration Report

#21

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#21 in overall quality

Webster University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid 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 with aid list, Webster has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Webster University are $13,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Webster

#22

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
#16 in overall quality

Upper Iowa University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Upper Iowa University is a small school located in Fayette, Iowa that handed out 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UIU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIU are $19,152, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at UIU

#23

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
#14 in overall quality

Drake University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Drake also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Drake University are $11,932, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Drake Public Administration Report

#24

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #24, Saint Louis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. SLU is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 1 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

SLU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at SLU

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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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