2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
65
Ranked Colleges
7,888
Degrees Awarded
$10,700
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 98,583 people earned their degree in public administration and social service, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,520 and had an average of $27,642 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 7,888 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,821 and $32,372 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 65 colleges that offer a degree in public administration and social service. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public administration and social service 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 and social service program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 65 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 296 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, WUSTL has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $1,556 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington University in St Louis.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 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 & Social Service at Washington University in St Louis
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 242 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,698 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UMN Twin Cities
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 136 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,005 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Mizzou
Out of the 65 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Des Moines Area Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 21 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
DMACC also took the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DMACC is $8,177 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at DMACC
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $7,843 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Minnesota - Duluth
University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 133 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
UNI also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $10,513 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UNI Public Administration & Social Service Report
University of North Dakota came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 181 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, UND has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $12,394 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 & Social Service at UND
University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMSL is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 162 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,991 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.
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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UMSL
University of Iowa ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 174 students in 2020-2021.
Iowa also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $13,554 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Iowa Public Administration & Social Service Report
With a ranking of #10, Century College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 36 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.
Century College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $8,850 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Century College.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Century College
Minot State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Minot, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 78 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend MSU is $8,920 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Minot State University
Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 103 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,692 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Public Administration & Social Service Report
Winona State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 91 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,721 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Winona State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Winona State University
University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 221 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNOMAHA is $10,578 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UNOMAHA Public Administration & Social Service Report
Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and it awarded 57 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend MSU Moorhead is $12,675 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 Minnesota State University - Moorhead Public Administration & Social Service Report
Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 108 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $10,348 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Saint Cloud State University Public Administration & Social Service Report
Kansas State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school awarded 62 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.
K -State also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for K -State is $13,436 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at K -State
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Watertown, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,646 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend LATI.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Lake Area Technical Institute
University of Kansas landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 290 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
KU also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $15,666 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Kansas
Saint Louis Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Louis Community College is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis Community College is $6,179 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Saint Louis Community College
University of South Dakota ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 67 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, USD has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USD is $15,495 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 & Social Service at University of South Dakota
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Minnesota State University is $10,578 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Southwest Minnesota State University Public Administration & Social Service Report
Wichita State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 204 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Wichita State University is $11,687 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Wichita State University
With a ranking of #24, University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNK is located in Kearney, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend UNK is $14,087 for plains states region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Nebraska at Kearney
With a ranking of #25, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 181 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,381 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri State.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Missouri State Public Administration & Social Service Report