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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

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 $48-$75k” 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 42 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public administration programs that also have a lower cost than 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.

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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.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 75 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $5,849 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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.

Full Northwestern University Public Administration Report

2
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

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 - Bloomington landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 757 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students 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 $12,369 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 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Administration at Indiana University - Bloomington

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 185 ’s public admin degrees 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. It costs about $13,273 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Ohio State Public Administration Report

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. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 190 degrees to qualified ’s public admin 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 $13,306 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k 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 full report on Public Administration at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school handed out 71 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

UIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIS is $11,492 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 UIS

6
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland 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 #6. Located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 24 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

Oakland also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland 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 more about Public Administration at Oakland University

7

Indiana University - South Bend came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is a small public school situated in South Bend, Indiana. It awarded 15 ’s public admin degrees 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 estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $10,840 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Public Administration at Indiana University - South Bend

8

Indiana University - Northwest came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. IU Northwest is located in Gary, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

IU Northwest also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Northwest is $7,885 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Public Administration at IU Northwest

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. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIC has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $14,105 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 University of Illinois at Chicago Public Administration Report

10
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

With a ranking of #10, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Central Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 95 ’s public admin 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 is $15,720 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Central Michigan Public Administration Report

11

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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 estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $13,198 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%. 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

12
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

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. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 96 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,277 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend GVSU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Grand Valley State University

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

Saginaw Valley State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saginaw Valley State University is $14,265 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Saginaw Valley State University

14
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, Ohio

Franklin 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 #14. 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, Franklin University has also earned the #25 rank 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Franklin University

15
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne 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 #15. PFW is a public institution located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Full PFW 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. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Read full report on Public Administration at UM Dearborn

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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, Wayne State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,612 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wayne State.

Read full report on Public Administration at Wayne State

18
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 25 ’s public admin degrees 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. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $14,547 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Public Administration at Eastern Michigan

19

University of Michigan - Flint ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Flint, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UM Flint is $13,218 for great lakes region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Public Administration at UM Flint

20

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay 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 #20. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Green Bay is $13,258 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Public Administration at UW - Green Bay

21
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball 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 #21. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,158 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ball State.

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 full report on Public Administration at Ball State University

22
GSU crest
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois

Governors State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 19 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Governors State University 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 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 #23. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $12,950 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Public Administration at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

24

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and it awarded 32 ’s public admin degrees 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. The yearly cost to attend UW Oshkosh is $14,157 for Great Lakes Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Public Administration at UW Oshkosh

25
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Aurora is located in Aurora, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Aurora also took the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Aurora University is $15,645 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%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Aurora

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