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2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting 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. 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 Getting Aid” 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.

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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

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 Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree public admin students with 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 join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 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. 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 University - Mankato Public Administration Report

#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. Saint 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.

St. Cloud State University also took 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.

Read full report on Public Administration at St. Cloud State University

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #3 spot on the list. UNOMAHA 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UNOMAHA

#4

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #4 spot on the list. UMSL is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at UMSL

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 70 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

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

#6

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #6, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities 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. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 21 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 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 UMN Twin Cities are $28,845.

Full UMN Twin Cities Public Administration Report

#7

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South 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 #7. USD 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $12,637, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at University of South Dakota

#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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. 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 Kansas State University are $24,115, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at K -State

#9

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota came in at #9 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. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 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 UND are $18,326.

Full UND Public Administration Report

#10

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
#22 in overall quality

Southeast Missouri 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 #10. This fairly large school is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and it awarded 10 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Southeast Missouri State University also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. 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

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. Metropolitan State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 5 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, 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 more about Public Administration at Metro State

#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 Getting Aid ranking. Bellevue, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 23 students 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Bellevue University

#13

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City 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 #13. 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.

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 University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Public Administration Report

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Missouri State is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 58 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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 University - Springfield are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Missouri State

#15

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

Park University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Parkville, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large 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 with aid 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.

Read full report on Public Administration at Park University

#16

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. WSU is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 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

Hamline University landed the #17 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 Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 39 diplomas 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 with aid 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.

Read full report on Public Administration at Hamline University

#18

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #18 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 Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 40 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at KU

#19

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #19, Capella 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. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 92 masters’s public admin degrees 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

#20

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

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. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. 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

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University came in at #21 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. 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.

Webster not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 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 Webster University are $13,500.

Read full report on Public Administration at Webster University

#22

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Fayette, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 19 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Public Administration at Upper Iowa University

#23

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 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 are $11,932, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Drake

#24

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University ranked #24 on this year’s 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 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 SLU are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Saint Louis 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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