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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

25 Ranked Colleges
1,304 Degrees Awarded
$17,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Public Administration is the 60th most popular major in the country with 16,905 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $51,352 and had an average of $29,054 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,304 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $51,943 and $34,585 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 25 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration programs and 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region public admin students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1
UMSL crest
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 #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMSL, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,232 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Missouri - St Louis

2

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $17,878 for plains states region public admin students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 107 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Administration at Mizzou

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. UNOMAHA is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 68 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA also took the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Public Administration Report

5
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 22 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $16,966 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at University of North Dakota

6
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Winona State is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students with aid list, Winona State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,634 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend Winona State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Winona State University Public Administration Report

7
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USD, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USD is $19,389 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at USD

8
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 14 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public admin students with aid list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at St. Cloud State University

9

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 5 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,159 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Public Administration Report

10
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school awarded 65 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

KU also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend KU is $20,257 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at KU

11
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

With a ranking of #11, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,438 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend UNI.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at UNI

12
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. K -State is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 10 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $18,433 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Kansas State University Public Administration Report

13

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school handed out 74 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State is $16,718 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Public Administration Report

14

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools 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 ’s public admin degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

UMKC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $15,702 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Missouri - Kansas City

15
WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 70 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WSU is $14,859 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration at Wichita State University

16
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Capella University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 84 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Capella University also took the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,545 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend Capella University.

Full Capella University Public Administration Report

17
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Bellevue University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Bellevue, Nebraska. It awarded 30 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Bellevue University also took the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,288 for plains states region public admin students with aid per year to attend Bellevue University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Bellevue University Public Administration Report

18
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

Park University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Parkville, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 72 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

Park University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,619 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend Park University.

Read more about Public Administration at Park University

19
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that handed out 11 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Southeast Missouri State University also took the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,568 for plains states region public admin students with aid per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Read more about Public Administration at Southeast Missouri State University

20
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 10 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Metro State, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,044 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend Metro State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Metropolitan State University

21
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Hamline is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Hamline also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Hamline is $20,474 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Hamline University

22
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $17,366 for plains states region public admin students with aid per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lindenwood University Public Administration Report

23
UIU crest
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 47 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Upper Iowa University is $24,063 for Plains States Region Public Admin students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration at UIU

24
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 33 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Drake did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Drake is $29,903 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Public Administration at Drake

25
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Columbia College is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 6 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College is $26,668 for plains states region public admin students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration at Columbia College

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