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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

23 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 $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Public Administration is the 58th most popular major in the country with 17,269 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $48,859 and had an average of $42,077 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,443 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $50,408 and $49,259 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.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 23 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.

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

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

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 $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. 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 $30-$48k

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

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #1 spot 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 UMN Twin Cities

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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 70 masters’s 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

#3

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Saint Cloud State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Saint 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full St. Cloud State University Public Administration Report

#10 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 15 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 $30-$48k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #10 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 Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Public Administration Report

#5

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 #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 8 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UMSL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMSL are $30,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at UMSL

With a ranking of #6, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school handed out 63 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Public Administration Report

#7

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

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 Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. UND is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UND

#8

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Kansas State University is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kansas State University are $24,115, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Kansas State University

#9

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, 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 Making $30-$48k list. Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Southeast Missouri State University

#10

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, this medium-sized public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, USD has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of South Dakota Public Administration Report

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 58 masters’s public admin degrees 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042.

Full Missouri State Public Administration Report

#12

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 39 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Hamline also took the #4 spot 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.

Full Hamline Public Administration Report

#13

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 40 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #3 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 KU are $25,007.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Kansas

#14

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 28 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UMKC Public Administration Report

#15

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #15, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 5 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Metro State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Metro State are $17,552, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Metro State

#16

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

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 Making $30-$48k 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 whose families make $30-$48k list, WSU has also earned the #19 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 Wichita State University are $15,112.

Full Wichita State University Public Administration Report

#17

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Lindenwood University also took the #15 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 Lindenwood University are $9,550.

Full Lindenwood University Public Administration Report

#18

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

With a ranking of #18, Park University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Park University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Parkville, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 39 masters’s 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Park University Public Administration Report

#19

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #19, 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 Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 1 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

SLU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SLU Public Administration Report

#20

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, and it awarded 23 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Bellevue University also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bellevue University are $11,385, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Bellevue University Public Administration Report

#21

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Webster also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. 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 full report on Public Administration at Webster University

#22

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Upper Iowa University is a small school located in Fayette, Iowa that handed out 19 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 $30-$48k list, UIU has also earned the #16 rank 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Upper Iowa University

#23

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Drake is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 36 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Drake not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 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 Drake are $11,932.

Read more about Public Administration at Drake University

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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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