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

37 Ranked Colleges
4,007 Degrees Awarded
$20,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 97,666 people earned their degree in public administration and social service, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $39,142 and had an average of $32,304 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 8,017 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,446 and $33,829 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 4,007 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 37 colleges that offered 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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 Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 266 students in 2019-2020.

WUSTL also took the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at WUSTL

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 226 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 43 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Duluth are $28,606, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#4

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Winona State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Winona State also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Winona State University are $12,378, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Winona State Public Administration & Social Service Report

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 172 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Public Administration & Social Service Report

#6

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#19 in overall quality

Saint Cloud State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. St. Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 59 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 St. Cloud State University are $12,904.

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

#7

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#25 in overall quality

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 69 students in 2019-2020.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UMSL

#8

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Dakota is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 95 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of North Dakota

#17 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 47 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Minnesota State Mankato

#18 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. UNOMAHA is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 160 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#11

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#15 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNI are $22,648, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UNI

#12

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, K -State has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 K -State are $24,115.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Kansas State University

#13

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#13 in overall quality

University of South Dakota came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of South Dakota is a medium-sized school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 59 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, USD has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 University of South Dakota are $12,637.

Full USD Public Administration & Social Service Report

#14

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#16 in overall quality

St Catherine University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. St. Kate’s is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Kate’s also took the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 St. Kate’s are $17,400.

Full St Catherine University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#15

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and it awarded 10 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southeast Missouri State University are $10,792.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Southeast Missouri State University

#16

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

University of Iowa came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 101 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 Iowa are $27,613.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Iowa

#17

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Metro State are $17,552.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Metro State

#21 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Missouri State University - Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 97 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Missouri State University - Springfield

#19

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Topeka, Kansas, this medium-sized public school handed out 60 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Washburn University are $19,206.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Washburn University

#20

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 247 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

KU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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.

Full University of Kansas Public Administration & Social Service Report

#21

Newman University

Wichita, Kansas

Newman University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 49 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Newman University are $8,484.

Full Newman University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Missouri - Kansas City is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 79 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Public Administration & Social Service Report

#23

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#7 in overall quality

Hamline University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Hamline is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 39 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Hamline also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline University are $11,577, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Hamline University

#24

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

With a ranking of #24, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school handed out 65 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at WSU are $15,112, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at WSU

#10 in overall quality

The College of Saint Scholastica landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The College of Saint Scholastica is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

St. Scholastica not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The College of Saint Scholastica are $15,502, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at The College of Saint Scholastica

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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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