2026 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Educational Leadership & Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/educational-leadership-and-administration-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 104 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools.
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2026 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general educational leadership & administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
Our analysis ranked Governors State University the best value for a degree in general educational leadership & administration in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $80,009. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Indiana University East is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general educational leadership & administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $24,098 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $49,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general educational leadership & administration, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $24,925. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $60,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general educational leadership & administration will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $27,639. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $113,839. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general educational leadership & administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $47,216. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $63,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #7 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $17,600. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $82,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend placed #9 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $24,640. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $47,733. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Chicago State University landed the #10 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $43,322 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Indiana State University placed #11 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $85,366. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Ferris State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $96,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Youngstown State University earned the #13 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $26,373. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #14 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $59,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $67,396. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Wisconsin Superior earned the #16 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, while out-of-state students pay about $16,726. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $65,660. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University earned the #17 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $25,972. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $71,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #18 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $46,568 early in their careers. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #19 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $56,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #20 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $75,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,091 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $65,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,091 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University earned the #22 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $63,782 early in their careers. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University landed the #23 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $26,689. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $70,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Oakland City University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the rural area of Oakland City, Oakland City University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,900. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Oakland City University generally make around $83,101. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland City University admits about 82% of applicants.
Purdue University Global placed #25 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $44,436 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $41,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general educational leadership & administration:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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.
