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2023 Best Value Colleges for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

35 Ranked Colleges
835 Degrees Awarded
$12,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 4,709 people earned their degree in higher education/higher education administration, making the major the 160th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 835 higher education/higher education administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 35 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in higher education/higher education administration. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality higher education/higher education administration programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the higher education/higher education administration program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also made our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $917 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Northwestern

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 31 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also made our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $5,670 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #3 spot on the list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at IU Bloomington

4
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oakland University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

Oakland did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $8,839 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Oakland University

5
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ball State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $10,786 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Ball State University

6

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 40 diplomas to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - La Crosse, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $10,075 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

7

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 12 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,351 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at UIC

8
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Central Michigan University is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan also made our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $12,346 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Central Michigan

9
NLU crest
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. NLU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

NLU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for NLU is $14,042 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at NLU

10
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Chicago is $14,346 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

11

With a ranking of #11, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,825 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SIUE.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at SIUE

12
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also made our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $15,170 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Michigan State

13

Grand Valley State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $11,026 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Grand Valley State University

14
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 32 degrees to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k list, Eastern Michigan has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $13,265 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Eastern Michigan

15
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

WMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WMU is $15,552 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Western Michigan University

16

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Whitewater, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $10,390 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UW - Whitewater Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

17

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Kent State University at Kent is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 89 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kent State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kent State is $15,021 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Kent State

18

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 11 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $12,226 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SIUC Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

19

University of Toledo came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Toledo is a fairly large public school situated in Toledo, Ohio. It awarded 10 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Toledo is $14,550 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at University of Toledo

20

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 3 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

BGSU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,822 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend BGSU.

Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

21

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

UC also made our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $15,966 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

22

Grace College and Theological Seminary ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grace College is a small school located in Winona Lake, Indiana that handed out 6 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Grace College is $15,033 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Grace College and Theological Seminary

23
McKendree crest
McKendree University
Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. McKendree University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Illinois. It awarded 7 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k list, McKendree has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend McKendree University is $16,722 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at McKendree University

24
Madonna crest
Madonna University
Livonia, Michigan

With a ranking of #24, Madonna University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Madonna is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Livonia, Michigan. It awarded 3 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Madonna University is $13,079 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Madonna University

25

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,510 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at University of Akron Main Campus

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