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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

42 Ranked Colleges
1,453 Degrees Awarded
$24,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's 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. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 17,269 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 58th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $48,859 and had an average of $42,077 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,650 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,951 and $36,038 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.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s 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. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public administration program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

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

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s 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 masters’s public admin degrees to 85 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed 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 University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Northwestern

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at U-M

#3

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #3 spot on the list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 174 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Indiana University - Bloomington

#4

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Franklin University landed the #4 spot on the list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 28 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Franklin University are $16,080.

Full Franklin University Public Administration Report

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 $48-$75k list. Gary, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, IU Northwest has also earned the #17 rank 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 IU Northwest are $18,275.

Read more about Public Administration at Indiana University - Northwest

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 $48-$75k ranking. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 86 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #3 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 Ohio State are $37,141.

Full Ohio State Public Administration Report

University of Illinois at Springfield ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 63 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIS, the school also landed 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 more about Public Administration at University of Illinois at Springfield

With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 91 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. 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

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 44 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#9

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

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

Full Oakland Public Administration Report

University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UM Dearborn are $25,072.

Read more about Public Administration at UM Dearborn

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 $48-$75k list. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 20 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Oshkosh, the school also landed the #23 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 UW Oshkosh are $18,744.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

#13

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

With a ranking of #13, Indiana University - South Bend did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. South Bend, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Indiana University - South Bend did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - South Bend are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Indiana University - South Bend

#14

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at NIU

#15

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University 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 $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 93 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Central Michigan

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300.

Read more about Public Administration at SIUE

#17

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s 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 masters’s public admin degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at GVSU are $17,448, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at GVSU

#17

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Evansville, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

USI also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USI are $20,039.

Full University of Southern Indiana Public Administration Report

#19

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Aurora University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Aurora is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 14 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora University are $13,200, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Aurora Public Administration Report

University of Michigan - Flint came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Flint, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 47 students in 2019-2020.

UM Flint not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Flint Public Administration Report

#21

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Governors State University is a small school located in University Park, Illinois that handed out 6 masters’s public admin 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 full report on Public Administration at GSU

#22

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana

With a ranking of #22, Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public institution located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Public Administration at PFW

#23

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #23, Wayne 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 $48-$75k list. Wayne State is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Wayne State University

#24

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Michigan

With a ranking of #24, Saginaw 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 $48-$75k list. Located in University Center, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Saginaw Valley State University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saginaw Valley State University are $28,780, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Saginaw Valley State University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 6 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Public Administration Report

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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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