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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

70 Ranked Colleges
7,451 Degrees Awarded
$27,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 97,666 people earned their degree in public administration and social service, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $39,142 and had an average of $32,304 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 15,401 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,285 and $30,558 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 7,451 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 70 colleges that offered a degree in public administration and social service. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public administration and social service programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

The public administration & social service school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

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 Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 132 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 Northwestern are $56,567.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 536 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UChicago

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 522 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 210 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 152 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UIUC

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 203 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at IU Bloomington

#7

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

With a ranking of #7, Franklin University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Franklin University is a medium-sized school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 28 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Franklin University are $16,080, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Franklin University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 451 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, Ohio State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Ohio State University - Main Campus

Indiana University - Northwest came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Gary, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Northwest are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at IU Northwest

#10

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Springfield ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 85 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 & Social Service at University of Illinois at Springfield

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 341 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIC has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UIC

#11 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 469 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at IUPUI

#13

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Green Bay, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 60 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Green Bay are $19,126.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

#14

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois

Judson University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $48-$75k list, Judson has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 Judson are $18,900.

Full Judson Public Administration & Social Service Report

#15

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Aurora University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Aurora, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 474 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Aurora not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora University are $13,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Aurora

#7 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Case Western is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 223 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Case Western Reserve University

#17

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#24 in overall quality

Oakland University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Oakland University is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 31 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakland also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland are $24,648, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Oakland

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 44 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh are $18,744, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UW Oshkosh

#19

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 176 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

GVSU also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at GVSU are $17,448.

Full GVSU Public Administration & Social Service Report

University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 15 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UM Dearborn

#21

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

Wayne State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school awarded 336 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Wayne State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

With a ranking of #22, Indiana University - South Bend did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in South Bend, Indiana, and it awarded 7 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Indiana University - South Bend did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 Indiana University - South Bend are $18,275.

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

#23

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 32 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Full NIU Public Administration & Social Service Report

#24

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

Central Michigan University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 93 students in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Central Michigan University

#25

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ferris is a fairly large public school situated in Big Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 29 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ferris are $7,908.

Full Ferris Public Administration & Social Service Report

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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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