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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region

13 Colleges in the United States
267 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Degrees Awarded
$60,027 Avg Early-Career Salary

Higher Education/Higher Education Administration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for higher education/higher education administration students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall higher education/higher education administration education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration

1
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 14 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from University Of Iowa earn around $67,785 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of Iowa

2

Saint Louis University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $64,822 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete this degree. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Saint Louis University Main Campus

3

A rank of #3 makes Iowa State University one of the top schools for higher education/higher education administration. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 33 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Iowa State University

4

Maryville University Of Saint Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in higher education/higher education administration, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 61 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $78,452. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from Maryville University Of Saint Louis

5
University Of Saint Mary crest
University Of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, KS

University Of Saint Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. University Of Saint Mary awarded about 12 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Saint Mary earn a median of $52,152 early in their careers. University Of Saint Mary graduates carry a median of $27,810 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of Saint Mary

6

Saint Cloud State University landed the #6 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. About 12 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Saint Cloud State University earn around $76,970 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,076. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Saint Cloud State University

7
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas earned the #7 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from University Of Kansas earn around $70,677 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of Kansas

8

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #8 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 10 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $47,570 in the first couple years of their career. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Missouri State University Springfield

9
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University placed #9 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Capella University graduates 20% of students within six years. Capella University awarded about 19 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Capella University earn around $67,347 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,998. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Capella University

10

University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #10 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates 57% of students within six years. About 16 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from University Of Missouri St Louis earn around $54,832 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete this degree. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of Missouri St Louis

11

Southeast Missouri State University earned the #11 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 12 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Southeast Missouri State University earn around $46,212 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,289. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Southeast Missouri State University

12
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University placed #12 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit institution. About 37 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Walden University in the most recent year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Walden University earn a median of $48,220 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $49,361. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Walden University

13

Missouri Baptist University placed #13 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Missouri Baptist University awarded about 12 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $51,409 in their early career. Missouri Baptist University graduates carry a median of $27,337 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Missouri Baptist University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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