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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

42 Ranked Colleges
1,453 Degrees Awarded
$23,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 17,269 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 58th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $48,859 and had an average of $42,077 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,650 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,951 and $36,038 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,453 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 42 colleges that offer a degree in public administration. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 85 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Northwestern

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 3 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full U-M Public Administration Report

#3

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 174 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Public Administration Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 86 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Ohio State University - Main Campus

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Northwest. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Gary, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

IU Northwest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Northwest are $18,275.

Read full report on Public Administration at IU Northwest

With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 44 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, IUPUI has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at IUPUI

#7

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

Franklin University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Franklin University is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Franklin University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Franklin University are $16,080, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Franklin University

#8

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

Indiana University - South Bend did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Indiana University - South Bend is a small public school situated in South Bend, Indiana. It awarded 7 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Indiana University - South Bend, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - South Bend are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Public Administration Report

#9

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

With a ranking of #9, University of Southern Indiana did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USI is a fairly large school located in Evansville, Indiana that handed out 2 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

USI also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern Indiana are $20,039.

Full USI Public Administration Report

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 91 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UIC Public Administration Report

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 20 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Oshkosh also took the #23 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Oshkosh are $18,744, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW Oshkosh Public Administration Report

#12

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 93 students in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Central Michigan

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 29 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SIUE Public Administration Report

University of Michigan - Flint landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UM Flint is a public institution located in Flint, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 47 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UM Flint also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UM Flint are $18,202.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Michigan - Flint

#15

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakland University is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 31 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakland did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland are $24,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Oakland

#16

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. GVSU is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 33 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at GVSU are $17,448, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at GVSU

With a ranking of #17, University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Michigan - Dearborn is located in Dearborn, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UM Dearborn are $25,072, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Dearborn Public Administration Report

#18

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 63 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at UIS

#19

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Northern Illinois University is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 32 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Northern Illinois University

#20

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. PFW is a medium-sized school located in Fort Wayne, Indiana that handed out 8 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Fort Wayne are $14,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at PFW

#21

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Ball State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ball State University Public Administration Report

#22

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in University Park, Illinois, this small public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at GSU are $14,674.

Read more about Public Administration at Governors State University

#23

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University Center, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Saginaw Valley State University also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saginaw Valley State University are $28,780, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Saginaw Valley State University

#24

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

With a ranking of #24, Indiana State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana State is a public institution located in Terre Haute, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State University are $15,346, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Indiana State Public Administration Report

#25

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 10 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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