2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region
66
Ranked Colleges
7,888
Degrees Awarded
$17,000
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 in the Plains States Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.
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.
This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking looked at 66 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration and social service. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration and social service 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 and social service program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The public administration & social service school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region”.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Century College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and it awarded 36 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
Century College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $10,397 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students.
Full Century College Public Administration & Social Service Report
Out of the 66 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Walden University landed the #2 spot on the list. Walden University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 1,643 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Walden University, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Walden University Public Administration & Social Service Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minot State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region. Located in Minot, North Dakota, this small public school handed out 78 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,205 for plains states region public administration & social service students per year to attend Minot State University.
Full Minot State University Public Administration & Social Service Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hamline University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region list. Hamline University is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 37 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
Hamline did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Hamline University is $20,474 for plains states region public administration & social service students.
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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Hamline University
Out of the 66 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Dakota landed the #5 spot on the 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.
USD also took the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,389 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend USD.
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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of South Dakota
With a ranking of #6, Des Moines Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region list. Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution located in Ankeny, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
DMACC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $9,557 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend Des Moines Area Community College.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at DMACC
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution located in Watertown, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,301 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend LATI.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at LATI
With a ranking of #8, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region list. Winona State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 91 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $17,634 for plains states region public administration & social service students.
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 North Dakota ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region list. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $16,966 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students.
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 & Social Service at UND
Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #10. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 103 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region public administration & social service students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Minnesota State University - Mankato
Capella University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #11. Capella University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 312 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Capella University is $16,545 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Capella University
Concordia University, Saint Paul landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Concordia University, Saint Paul is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul is $15,880 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Concordia University, Saint Paul
With a ranking of #13, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 57 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students list, MSU Moorhead has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $17,680 for plains states region public administration & social service students.
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%.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at MSU Moorhead
Columbia College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 191 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $26,668 for plains states region public administration & social service students per year to attend Columbia College.
Full Columbia College Public Administration & Social Service Report
Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region list. Marshall, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Southwest Minnesota State University is $13,872 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Southwest Minnesota State University
Metropolitan State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 163 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $16,044 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend Metro State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Metro State
University of Northern Iowa came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 133 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students list, UNI has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $16,438 for plains states region public administration & social service students.
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 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%.
Full University of Northern Iowa 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 ranking, coming in at #18. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 108 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students.
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 St. Cloud State University
Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 181 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $16,718 for plains states region public administration & social service students per year to attend Missouri State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Missouri State University - Springfield Public Administration & Social Service Report
With a ranking of #20, Rasmussen University - Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region list. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is located in St. Cloud, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Rasmussen University - Minnesota is $19,075 for plains states region public administration & social service students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Rasmussen University - Minnesota
Drake University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Drake is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 33 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $29,903 for plains states region public administration & social service students per year to attend Drake University.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Drake
Bellevue University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large school is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, and it awarded 69 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,288 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend Bellevue University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Bellevue University Public Administration & Social Service Report
Park University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Park University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Parkville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 117 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Park University is $14,619 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Park University
With a ranking of #24, Minneapolis Community and Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a medium-sized school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 30 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Minneapolis Community and Technical College is $12,908 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students.
Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Augsburg University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region list. Augsburg is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region public administration & social service students list, Augsburg has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Augsburg is $23,898 for Plains States Region Public Administration & Social Service students.
Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Augsburg University
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