2026 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
Leading the list is Governors State University, our #1 best value for educational administration in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $80,009 early in their careers. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University East earned it the #3 place for educational administration. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $49,598. That is a strong return on a $24,098 median debt. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland Community College earned it the #4 place for educational administration. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $16,700. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #6 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,925. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $60,442 early in their careers. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Illinois University came in at #7 for value in educational administration this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $27,639. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $113,839. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #8 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the educational administration program here. 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.
Northern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $63,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #11 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $82,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Indiana State University came in at #12 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,582. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $85,366. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Chicago State University came in at #13 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. That is a strong return on a $43,322 median debt. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #14 for value in educational administration this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,640. Educational Administration graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $47,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,562. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $96,834. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #16 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,245. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $47,577. That is a strong return on a $24,245 median debt. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #17 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $59,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Youngstown State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $49,025. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Marion Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the town of Marion, Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public institution. 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. Educational Administration graduates of Ohio State University Marion Campus earn a median of $36,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #20 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #21 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $19,137. 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Oakland University landed the #22 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $71,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Superior earned the #23 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, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $65,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,917. Educational Administration graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $46,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Ohio State University Lima Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. 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. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,000. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $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:
Narrow Educational Administration Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
[Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong educational administration education at a price that pays off.
