2027 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 85 schools to find the best return on investment for educational administration students.
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2027 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in educational administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Educational Administration Schools
For return on investment in educational administration, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $20,115. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,834 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,562. Educational Administration graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $96,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in educational administration will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,972. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $71,472. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Governors State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $80,009. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Indiana State University placed #6 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,582. Educational Administration graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $85,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #7 among the best values for educational administration. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $60,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #8 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $28,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $65,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #9 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $21,999. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
National Louis University earned the #10 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $87,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Wisconsin Superior earned the #11 position for value in educational administration this year. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,726. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $65,660. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #12 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $53,861. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #13 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #14 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $70,455. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of St Francis came in at #15 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,695. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $88,450. That is a strong return on a $25,695 median debt. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $67,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Western Illinois University came in at #17 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $113,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global placed #18 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $44,436 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $41,433. Set against $44,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Illinois University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,209. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $63,264. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Ohio State University Marion Campus came in at #20 for value in educational administration this year. Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public school located in the town of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $36,487. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University came in at #21 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $26,373. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #22 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Chicago State University came in at #23 for value in educational administration this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $47,477. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #24 spot for educational administration value this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $82,842 early in their careers. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Ohio State University Lima Campus placed #25 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the rural area of Lima, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Ohio State University Lima Campus generally make around $36,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Educational Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in educational administration:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 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.
