2027 Best Educational Administration Schools in Illinois
Educational Administration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best educational administration schools.
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Best Schools for Educational Administration in Illinois
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the educational administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Educational Administration
Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for educational administration. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 18 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from Northwestern University earn around $60,945 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
More information about a degree in educational administration from Northwestern University
Students looking for a strong educational administration program will find one at Bradley University, which ranked #2. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Peoria. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 14 educational administration degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $58,338 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380.
See the full educational administration program report for Bradley University
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 59 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,834 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree.
See the full educational administration program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago
A rank of #4 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the top schools for educational administration. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $55,802 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree.
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Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in educational administration, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 56 educational administration degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $89,114. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans.
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Concordia University Chicago came in at #6 for educational administration this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. About 366 educational administration degrees were awarded at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $91,059. Concordia University Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans.
More information about a degree in educational administration from Concordia University Chicago
Depaul University came in at #7 for educational administration this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $68,961. Typical student debt for the program is $25,340.
Read more about the educational administration program at Depaul University
North Central College landed the #8 spot for educational administration this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. About 64% of students finish within six years. North Central College awarded about 33 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of North Central College earn a median of $81,014 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in educational administration from North Central College
Northern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for educational administration this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 129 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $63,264. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree.
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Aurora University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best educational administration schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 110 educational administration degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $90,978 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree.
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Governors State University came in at #11 for educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. Governors State University awarded about 49 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $80,009. Typical student debt for the program is $24,990.
More information about a degree in educational administration from Governors State University
University Of St Francis ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best educational administration schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Joliet. University Of St Francis graduates 67% of students within six years. About 43 educational administration degrees were awarded at University Of St Francis in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $88,450 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,695.
More information about a degree in educational administration from University Of St Francis
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #13 position for educational administration this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 65 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $82,842. Typical student debt for the program is $17,600.
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Lewis University placed #14 among the best educational administration schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 24 educational administration degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $55,718 in their early career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans.
More information about a degree in educational administration from Lewis University
National Louis University earned the #15 position for educational administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. National Louis University graduates 30% of students within six years. There were roughly 154 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at National Louis University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from National Louis University earn around $87,412 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete this degree.
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Western Illinois University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best educational administration schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Western Illinois University awarded about 54 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $113,839 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete this degree.
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Rockford College came in at #17 for educational administration this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Rockford College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $73,751 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,094 to complete this degree.
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Eastern Illinois University earned the #18 position for educational administration this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 60 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $67,396. Typical student debt for the program is $24,293.
Read more about the educational administration program at Eastern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #19 for educational administration this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 116 educational administration degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $46,568 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete this degree.
Read more about the educational administration program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #20 spot for educational administration this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $60,442. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans.
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Mckendree University came in at #21 for educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Mckendree University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $57,251. Typical student debt for the program is $24,362.
More information about a degree in educational administration from Mckendree University
Chicago State University came in at #22 for educational administration this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 16%. Chicago State University awarded about 17 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in educational administration from Chicago State University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best educational administration schools. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 15 educational administration degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $43,161. Typical student debt for the program is $23,730.
More information about a degree in educational administration from Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 23 schools evaluated.
- 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.