2026 Best Public Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2026 ranking of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $92,069 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2

Creighton University
Omaha, NE

Students looking for a strong public administration program will find one at Creighton University, which ranked #2. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Creighton University graduates 83% of students within six years. About 15 public administration degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Creighton University earn around $64,369 in the first couple years of their career. Creighton University graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Creighton University

3

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #3. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 77 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $68,911. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818. See the full public administration program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

4

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Drake University awarded about 28 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $67,297 in their early career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Drake University

5

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 60% of students finish within six years. Hamline University awarded about 29 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Hamline University earn around $76,773 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for Hamline University

6

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota landed the #6 spot for public administration this year. This large public university is located in the town of Vermillion. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Dakota awarded about 31 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $67,719 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,322. Get the full public administration details for University Of South Dakota

7

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas earned the #7 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 65 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $58,188 in their early career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for University Of Kansas

8

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Forks. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. About 20 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,701. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at University Of North Dakota

9

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Lindenwood University graduates 49% of students within six years. Lindenwood University awarded about 12 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Lindenwood University graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at Lindenwood University

10

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #10 spot for public administration this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates 49% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska At Omaha awarded about 50 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $58,548. Typical student debt for the program is $21,783. See the full public administration program report for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

11

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University earned the #11 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. About 20% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $91,474 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Capella University

12

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #12 among the best public administration schools. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 35 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $49,846 in their early career. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Missouri Kansas City

13

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University landed the #13 spot for public administration this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wichita State University awarded about 41 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $52,982. Typical student debt for the program is $24,262. See the full public administration program report for Wichita State University

14

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University earned the #14 position for public administration this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 12 public administration degrees were awarded at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. Students borrow a median of $23,289 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for Southeast Missouri State University

15

Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University landed the #15 spot for public administration this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. Park University awarded about 64 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Park University earn a median of $62,141 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,112. More information about a degree in public administration from Park University

16

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #16 position for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $42,399 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,408. See the full public administration program report for Missouri State University Springfield

17

Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University placed #17 among the best public administration schools. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. There were roughly 202 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Walden University earn a median of $67,390 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $49,361. Read more about the public administration program at Walden University

18

Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. There were roughly 36 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Upper Iowa University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $63,921 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Upper Iowa University