Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

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

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 17,269 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 58th most popular in the United States. 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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 24 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.

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 the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

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 Making $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

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 Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the 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.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $48-$75k 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845.

Full UMN Twin Cities Public Administration Report

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 $48-$75k. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 70 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia 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 be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Cloud State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Cloud State University are $12,904, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full St. 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. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. 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 $48-$75k 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

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 Nebraska at Omaha landed the #5 spot on the list. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 63 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UNOMAHA also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at UNOMAHA

#6

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

Kansas State University came in at #6 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. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 9 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

K -State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at K -State are $24,115, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Kansas State University

#7

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #7 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. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 8 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UMSL 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 UMSL are $30,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UMSL

#8

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #8, University of North 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. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin 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 more about Public Administration at UND

#9

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of South Dakota is a public institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 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 USD are $12,637.

Read full report on Public Administration at USD

#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. Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Southeast Missouri State University

#11

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University ranked #11 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 Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 39 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, Hamline has also earned the #4 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 Hamline are $11,577.

Full Hamline University Public Administration Report

#12

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University came in at #12 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. 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.

Bellevue University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. 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

Capella University came in at #13 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. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 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 Capella University are $14,767.

Full Capella University Public Administration Report

#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 located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 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, Metro State has also earned the #0 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 Metropolitan State University are $17,552.

Read full report on Public Administration at Metro State

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #15 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. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 58 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Missouri State

#16

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #16 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. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 40 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at KU

#17

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

With a ranking of #17, 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 $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Parkville, Missouri, and it awarded 39 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, Park University has also earned the #18 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 Park University are $6,224.

Full Park University Public Administration Report

#18

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #18 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 Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 28 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMKC, the school also landed the #17 spot 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Public Administration Report

#19

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita 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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. WSU is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 16 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at WSU

#20

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University came in at #20 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. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 13 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, Lindenwood University has also earned the #15 rank 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Lindenwood University Public Administration Report

#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. Saint Louis University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SLU, the school also landed 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 SLU are $22,074.

Read more about Public Administration at SLU

#22

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

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.

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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Drake University

#23

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University landed the #23 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 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 are $13,500.

Read more about Public Administration at Webster

#24

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

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 Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. UIU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Iowa. It awarded 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 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 UIU are $19,152.

Read more about Public Administration at UIU

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Public Administration Schools

Find Schools Near You