2027 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general educational leadership & administration education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 71 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general educational leadership & administration students.
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2027 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general educational leadership & administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
For return on investment in general educational leadership & administration, no school beat Ferris State University this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $96,834. Set against $23,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Oakland University one of the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $71,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #3 place for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $80,009. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general educational leadership & administration will find it at Indiana State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $85,366. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Springfield one of the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $24,925. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $60,442. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #6 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $65,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
National Louis University landed the #7 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $87,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #8 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $21,999. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #9 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $27,845. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $65,660. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #10 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Wayne State University came in at #11 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $70,455. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of St Francis ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $88,450 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,695 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $67,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Purdue University Global came in at #14 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $44,436 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $41,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $44,436 median debt.
Western Illinois University came in at #15 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $27,639. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $113,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #16 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $63,264. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Youngstown State University landed the #17 spot for general educational leadership & administration value 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, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $49,025. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #18 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $82,842 early in their careers. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Chicago State University landed the #19 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $43,322. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $43,322 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University earned the #20 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $63,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #21 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $56,223. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cleveland State University came in at #22 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #23 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, 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. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #24 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $46,568. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Carroll University came in at #25 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $26,904. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $62,616. That is a strong return on a $26,904 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general educational leadership & administration this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
