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

42 Ranked Colleges
2,575 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Public Administration is the 49th most popular major in the country with 16,897 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,575 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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.

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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 Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $5,849 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Public Administration at Northwestern University

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 757 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $12,369 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Public Administration Report

3

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 185 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, Ohio State has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $13,273 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Public Administration at Ohio State

4

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #4 spot on the list. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 190 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

IUPUI also took the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $13,306 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Public Administration at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

5

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #5 spot on the list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 71 students in 2020-2021.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $11,492 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UIS.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UIS Public Administration Report

6
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Oakland also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland University is $12,008 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Oakland University

7

Indiana University - South Bend did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. South Bend, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, Indiana University - South Bend has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - South Bend is $10,840 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Public Administration at Indiana University - South Bend

8

Indiana University - Northwest landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Gary, Indiana, this small public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

IU Northwest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Northwest is $7,885 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full IU Northwest Public Administration Report

9

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 55 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $14,105 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full UIC Public Administration Report

10
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Central Michigan University is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan University is $15,720 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin 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%.

Read more about Public Administration at Central Michigan

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UW - La Crosse not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - La Crosse is $13,198 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

12

Grand Valley State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 96 students in 2020-2021.

GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,277 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend GVSU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 GVSU Public Administration Report

13
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saginaw Valley State University is a medium-sized school located in University Center, Michigan that handed out 19 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Saginaw Valley State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Saginaw Valley State University is $14,265 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Saginaw Valley State University

14
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, Ohio

Franklin University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Franklin University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 41 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Franklin University also took the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Franklin University is $7,259 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 Public Administration at Franklin University

15
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Fort Wayne, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,015 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend PFW.

Full Purdue University Fort Wayne Public Administration Report

16

University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Michigan - Dearborn is a medium-sized public school situated in Dearborn, Michigan. It awarded 13 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,398 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UM Dearborn.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Dearborn Public Administration Report

17
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 40 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Wayne State also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $13,612 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Wayne State Public Administration Report

18
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

Eastern Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $14,547 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Eastern Michigan Public Administration Report

19

University of Michigan - Flint landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 30 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Flint is $13,218 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Michigan - Flint

20

With a ranking of #20, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UW - Green Bay is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is $13,258 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Public Administration Report

21
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, Ball State has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $15,158 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Ball State University Public Administration Report

22
GSU crest
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois

Governors State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. GSU is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for GSU is $12,810 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Public Administration at GSU

23

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. SIUE is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 37 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $12,950 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Public Administration at SIUE

24

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 32 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

UW Oshkosh did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,157 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.

Full University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Public Administration Report

25
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Aurora University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Aurora University is a medium-sized school located in Aurora, Illinois that handed out 29 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Aurora also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $15,645 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Aurora.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Aurora Public Administration Report

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