College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

42 Ranked Colleges
2,575 Degrees Awarded
$17,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 16,905 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 60th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $51,352 and had an average of $29,054 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,575 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,400 and $26,828 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Public Admin Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $15,686 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Administration at Northwestern

2
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 757 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $20,234 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Administration at Indiana University - Bloomington

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - South Bend. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in South Bend, Indiana, and it awarded 15 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Indiana University - South Bend not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,660 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Indiana University - South Bend.

Read full report on Public Administration at Indiana University - South Bend

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. IUPUI is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 190 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k list, IUPUI has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $17,844 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at IUPUI

5
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central Michigan University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Central Michigan University is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $18,135 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan Public Administration Report

6
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Oakland is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakland, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,142 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Oakland.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Oakland

7

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 185 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $21,575 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Ohio State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Administration at Ohio State

8

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 71 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $14,985 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UIS Public Administration Report

9

Indiana University - Northwest landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. IU Northwest is a small school located in Gary, Indiana that handed out 21 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Northwest also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend IU Northwest is $11,863 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Public Administration at IU Northwest

10
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in University Center, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

Saginaw Valley State University also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $16,786 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Saginaw Valley State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Saginaw Valley State University Public Administration Report

11

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UW - La Crosse is a fairly large public school situated in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It awarded 13 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - La Crosse also took the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $16,472 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

12
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #12. GVSU is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 96 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $19,603 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Grand Valley State University

13

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 55 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $19,839 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at UIC

14
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, Ohio

Franklin University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Franklin University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k list, Franklin University has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Franklin University is $10,365 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Franklin University Public Administration Report

15
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 25 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Eastern Michigan also took the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan is $18,563 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Eastern Michigan University Public Administration Report

16

University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UM Dearborn is $17,197 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UM Dearborn Public Administration Report

17
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

With a ranking of #17, Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, this medium-sized public school handed out 52 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Purdue University Fort Wayne is $16,322 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full PFW Public Administration Report

18

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #18. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is $16,382 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Public Administration at UW - Green Bay

19

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UW Oshkosh not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW Oshkosh is $17,169 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

20
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Wayne State University is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $17,814 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Wayne State Public Administration Report

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a public institution located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $17,253 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Public Administration at UW - Whitewater

22

University of Michigan - Flint did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Flint, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,778 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UM Flint.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Michigan - Flint

23
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #23. Aurora University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aurora, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Aurora, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora is $19,828 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Aurora

24
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #24, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Ball State University is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 11 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $19,563 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ball State University Public Administration Report

25
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, and it awarded 16 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana State is $19,566 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Public Administration at Indiana State

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options