2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for higher education/higher education administration students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the higher education/higher education administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among higher education/higher education administration schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,209. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $63,264. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $53,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $71,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Lansing Community College one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $16,700. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #6 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $46,568. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #7 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #8 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $75,257. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ball State University earned the #9 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education 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.
Purdue University Global landed the #10 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $44,436 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $41,433. That is a strong return on a $44,436 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #11 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $45,222. Set against $23,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
National Louis University placed #12 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. 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. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $29,242. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $87,412. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Central Michigan University landed the #13 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $76,885 early in their careers. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $91,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #15 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $39,662 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. Set against $39,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Alverno College landed the #16 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,086. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $34,425 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $66,052 early in their careers. Set against $34,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University placed #17 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $53,932 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #18 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $43,161. That is a strong return on a $23,730 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University placed #19 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $70,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Toledo came in at #20 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $49,088. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University landed the #21 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #22 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $75,270. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University came in at #23 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,879. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $100,024. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Michigan State University placed #24 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $73,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #25 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $54,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s higher education/higher education administration value ranking:
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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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
