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

38 Ranked Colleges
4,007 Degrees Awarded
$20,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Public Administration & Social Service is the 14th most popular major in the country with 97,666 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 38 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k list. WUSTL is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 266 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed 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 Washington University in St Louis are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Washington University in St Louis

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 226 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UMN Twin Cities Public Administration & Social Service Report

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #3 spot on the list. UMN Duluth is a fairly large public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 43 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also took the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Duluth are $28,606, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#4

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Winona State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 9 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 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 Winona State University are $12,378.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Winona State University

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 172 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 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 Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#6

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Saint Cloud 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 $48-$75k list. Saint 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.

St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 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 Saint Cloud State University are $12,904.

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

#7

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#11 in overall quality

University of North Dakota 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 $48-$75k ranking. UND 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.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, UND has also earned the #11 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 North Dakota are $18,326.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of North Dakota

#17 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Mankato, Minnesota 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 47 students in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#9

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#16 in overall quality

St Catherine 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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. St. Kate’s is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

St. Kate’s also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at St Catherine University are $17,400, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at St Catherine University

#10

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Missouri - St Louis 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 $48-$75k list. UMSL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 69 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UMSL

#18 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 160 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 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 Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UNOMAHA

#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 $48-$75k list. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 9 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 $48-$75k 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kansas State University are $24,115, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at K -State

#13

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#15 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa 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 $48-$75k ranking. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 40 masters’s public administration and social service degrees 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

#14

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#13 in overall quality

University of South Dakota ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Vermillion, South Dakota 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 59 students in 2019-2020.

USD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 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 South Dakota are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USD Public Administration & Social Service Report

#15

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University came in at #15 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 $48-$75k ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 22 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Metropolitan State University are $17,552, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#16

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Southeast Missouri State University

#17

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

University of Iowa 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 $48-$75k ranking. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 101 students 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 University of Iowa are $27,613.

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

#18

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University came in at #18 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 $48-$75k ranking. Bellevue University is located in Bellevue, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Bellevue University are $11,385, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#19

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Hamline 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 $48-$75k list. Hamline University 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline University are $11,577, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#20

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#6 in overall quality

University of Kansas landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 247 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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.

Full KU Public Administration & Social Service Report

#21

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#23 in overall quality

Capella University came in at #21 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 $48-$75k ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large private for-profit school handed out 203 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Capella University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Capella University

#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 $48-$75k ranking. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 79 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Missouri - Kansas City

#21 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #23 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 $48-$75k ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 97 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Missouri State also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Missouri State University - Springfield

#10 in overall quality

The College of Saint Scholastica landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. The College of Saint Scholastica is a private not-for-profit institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 30 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Scholastica did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full St. Scholastica Public Administration & Social Service Report

#25

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas

With a ranking of #25, Washburn 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 $48-$75k list. Washburn University is a medium-sized public school situated in Topeka, Kansas. It awarded 60 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Washburn University are $19,206, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Washburn 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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