2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
42
Ranked Colleges
2,575
Degrees Awarded
$9,000
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Public Administration is the 60th most popular major in the country with 16,905 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $51,352 and had an average of $29,054 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,575 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,400 and $26,828 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 42 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration programs, but they also cost less that 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 public administration program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools
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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 75 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $917 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Public Administration at Northwestern University
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 $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 757 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Read full report on Public Administration at Indiana University - Bloomington
Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #3 spot on the list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 190 students in 2020-2021.
IUPUI also took the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,216 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend IUPUI.
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 more about Public Administration at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 185 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,581 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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 Ohio State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - South Bend. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - South Bend is located in South Bend, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k 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 $6,544 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Public Administration at Indiana University - South Bend
University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. UIS is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 71 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIS has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Springfield is $8,482 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Administration at UIS
Indiana University - Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This small school is located in Gary, Indiana, and it awarded 21 ’s public admin degrees 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 yearly cost to attend IU Northwest is $3,534 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Indiana University - Northwest Public Administration Report
With a ranking of #8, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 24 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
Oakland not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $8,839 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full Oakland University Public Administration Report
University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 55 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,351 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Illinois at Chicago Public Administration Report
Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $12,346 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 full report on Public Administration at Central Michigan University
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - La Crosse has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - La Crosse is $10,075 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Public Administration Report
Grand Valley State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school handed out 96 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 $30-$48k list, GVSU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,026 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.
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
With a ranking of #13, Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, this medium-sized public school handed out 52 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for PFW is $8,427 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full PFW Public Administration Report
Saginaw Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in University Center, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.
Saginaw Valley State University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,674 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saginaw Valley State University.
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%.
Full Saginaw Valley State University Public Administration Report
Ball State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ball State University is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 11 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $10,786 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Ball State
University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Michigan - Dearborn is a medium-sized school located in Dearborn, Michigan that handed out 13 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Dearborn is $10,465 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Michigan - Dearborn Public Administration Report
University of Michigan - Flint landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Michigan - Flint is a medium-sized school located in Flint, Michigan that handed out 30 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,952 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UM Flint.
Full UM Flint Public Administration Report
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 37 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,825 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Public Administration at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Wayne State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne State University is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.
Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $11,414 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wayne State University.
Full Wayne State University Public Administration Report
Indiana State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, and it awarded 16 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Indiana State is $10,911 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Public Administration at Indiana State University
With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 16 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,445 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.
Full University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Public Administration Report
Franklin University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Franklin University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 41 ’s 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 $2,159 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Administration at Franklin University
Eastern Michigan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Eastern Michigan, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,265 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Michigan University.
Read full report on Public Administration at Eastern Michigan
Northern Michigan University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Northern Michigan University is $10,573 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Public Administration at Northern Michigan University
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Whitewater, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $10,390 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Public Administration at UW - Whitewater
college factual
.jpg){kind=link}