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2023 Best Value Colleges for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

35 Ranked Colleges
835 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 35 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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 higher education/higher education administration program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

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 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 31 diplomas to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,849 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northwestern University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Northwestern

2

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools 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 #2 spot on the 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k list, U-M has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,481 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full U-M Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 $12,369 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Full IU Bloomington Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

4
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Oakland University landed the #4 spot on the list. Oakland is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to qualified students.

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 University is $12,008 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Oakland University

5
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Concordia University, Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This medium-sized school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 15 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $15,903 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 Concordia University, Chicago

6

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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. It costs about $14,105 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Illinois at Chicago

7
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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

NLU also took the #3 spot in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NLU is $16,487 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at NLU

8

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse 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 $48-$75k ranking. UW - La Crosse is a fairly large school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin that handed out 40 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - La Crosse did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $13,198 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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

8
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

Ball State also made our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $15,158 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ball State University.

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 full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Ball State University

10
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Central Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 13 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan also took the #11 spot in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $15,720 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan University Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

11
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Eastern Michigan is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Eastern Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,547 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Eastern Michigan University.

Full Eastern Michigan Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

12

With a ranking of #12, 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 $48-$75k 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 $12,950 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Full SIUE Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

13

Grand Valley State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. GVSU is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 33 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $15,277 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

14

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 11 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,499 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

15
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,557 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Michigan State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Full Michigan State University Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

16
Madonna crest
Madonna University
Livonia, Michigan

Madonna University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Madonna University is a small school located in Livonia, Michigan that handed out 3 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Madonna University is $17,548 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Madonna University Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

17
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Michigan University is $20,840 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

18

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 8 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $14,226 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

19

University of Toledo landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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 estimated yearly cost for University of Toledo is $17,555 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

20

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 11 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,867 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

21

With a ranking of #21, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 89 ’s higher education/higher education administration 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 University at Kent is $19,508 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Kent State University at Kent

22

With a ranking of #22, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bowling Green, 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 3 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k list, BGSU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $18,606 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

23
Cardinal Stritch crest
Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cardinal Stritch University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Cardinal Stritch is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cardinal Stritch did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cardinal Stritch is $17,671 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Cardinal Stritch University

24

University of Dayton ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UDayton is a fairly large school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 9 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

UDayton also made our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $25,633 for great lakes region higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UDayton.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at UDayton

25

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Akron Main Campus is $18,860 for Great Lakes Region Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

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