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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

42 Ranked Colleges
1,453 Degrees Awarded
$23,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Public Administration is the 47th most popular major in the country with 17,269 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,650 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,453 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 42 colleges that offer a degree in public administration. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The public admin school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

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 Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 85 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern Public Administration Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Public Administration Report

#3

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s 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. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 174 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at IU Bloomington

#4

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio
#21 in overall quality

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Franklin University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 28 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Franklin University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Franklin University are $16,080, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Franklin University

#17 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Northwest. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Gary, Indiana, and it awarded 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Northwest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Northwest are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at IU Northwest

#3 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 86 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 63 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIS are $16,757, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Illinois at Springfield

#8 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 44 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, IUPUI has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#9

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana
#24 in overall quality

Indiana University - South Bend did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in South Bend, Indiana, this small public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Indiana University - South Bend not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - South Bend are $18,275.

Read more about Public Administration at Indiana University - South Bend

#5 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 91 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Public Administration Report

#11

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#10 in overall quality

Oakland University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oakland is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 31 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakland also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland are $24,648.

Read full report on Public Administration at Oakland

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and it awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Oshkosh not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Oshkosh are $18,744, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Public Administration Report

#14

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school handed out 33 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Valley State University are $17,448.

Read more about Public Administration at GVSU

#15

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Southern Indiana is a fairly large public school situated in Evansville, Indiana. It awarded 2 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

USI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USI are $20,039, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USI Public Administration Report

#22 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Flint ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Flint, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 47 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UM Flint did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UM Flint are $18,202, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UM Flint Public Administration Report

#17

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 93 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359.

Full Central Michigan University Public Administration Report

With a ranking of #18, University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dearborn, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Dearborn are $25,072, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Michigan - Dearborn

#19

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, this medium-sized public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Fort Wayne are $14,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full PFW Public Administration Report

#20

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 32 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at NIU

#21

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Governors State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. GSU is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at GSU are $14,674.

Read more about Public Administration at Governors State University

#22

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Aurora University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 14 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora University are $13,200.

Full Aurora Public Administration Report

#23

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#16 in overall quality

Ball State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 10 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Ball State also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Ball State

#24

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana State is a public institution located in Terre Haute, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Indiana State

#25

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in University Center, Michigan, and it awarded 10 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Saginaw Valley State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saginaw Valley State University are $28,780, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Saginaw Valley State University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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