2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #1 spot for value among public administration schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,783. Public Administration graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $58,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

2

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #2. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,741. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,846. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

3

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #3. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $52,982. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

4

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $92,069. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

5

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Missouri State University earned it the #5 place for public administration. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $43,255. That is a strong return on a $23,289 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

6

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #6 spot for public administration value this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $58,188. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

7

Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University landed the #7 spot for public administration value this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $22,112. Public Administration graduates of Park University earn a median of $62,141 early in their careers. Set against $22,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield landed the #8 spot for public administration value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $42,399. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.

9

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University earned the #9 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $91,474. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.

10

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University placed #10 among the best values for public administration. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.

11

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota earned the #11 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.

12

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,322 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $67,719. That is a strong return on a $26,322 median debt. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.

13

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #13 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,818. Public Administration graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $68,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

14

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University landed the #14 spot for public administration value this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $76,773. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

15

Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University came in at #15 for value in public administration this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $63,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

16

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University placed #16 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $67,297. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.

17

Creighton University
Omaha, NE

Creighton University landed the #17 spot for public administration value this year. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $48,856 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $25,831. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $64,369. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Creighton University admits about 80% of applicants.