2027 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-ops-support-assistant-services/administrative-assistant-and-secretarial-science-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for general administrative assistant and secretarial science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general administrative assistant and secretarial science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for general administrative assistant and secretarial science in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general administrative assistant and secretarial science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $7,769. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $46,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #5 place for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $39,394. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College landed the #6 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $14,075. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College came in at #7 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $7,750. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $17,349. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County came in at #9 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
College Of Dupage landed the #10 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $12,492. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nicolet Area Technical College landed the #11 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rhinelander. Students from in state pay about $4,793 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,066 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $11,400. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Nicolet Area Technical College generally make around $46,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College earned the #12 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #13 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $18,296. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #14 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $27,494. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #15 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Lakeshore Technical College landed the #16 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $41,252. That is a strong return on a $11,582 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $11,709. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $13,319. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College earned the #19 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,650 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $36,178. That is a strong return on a $22,650 median debt.
Heartland Community College earned the #21 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $13,266. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. Set against $13,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College came in at #22 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Students borrow a median of $18,510 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $31,491. Set against $18,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Narrow General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools by State
More General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Rankings
View All General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Rankings >
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
