2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Missouri
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration schools.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City tops our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools in Missouri. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,741. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $49,846. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Southeast Missouri State University, which ranked #2. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Park University earned it the #3 place for public administration. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Park University generally make around $62,141. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Missouri State University Springfield one of the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $42,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lindenwood University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $68,911. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
