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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

42 Ranked Colleges
1,453 Degrees Awarded
$23,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Public Administration is the 58th most popular major in the country with 17,269 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” 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.

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

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college 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 Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree public admin students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#1

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 174 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at IU Bloomington

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Northwest landed the #2 spot on the list. Indiana University - Northwest is a small public school situated in Gary, Indiana. It awarded 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Northwest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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.

Full IU Northwest Public Administration Report

#3

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Franklin University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree public admin students with aid list, Franklin University has also earned the #21 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 Franklin University are $16,080.

Read more about Public Administration at Franklin University

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 91 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree public admin students with aid list, UIC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Springfield. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 63 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree public admin students with aid list, UIS has also earned the #6 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 University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757.

Read more about Public Administration at UIS

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 20 masters’s public admin degrees 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh are $18,744, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UW Oshkosh

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 3 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. 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 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

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 Getting Aid ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 44 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI also took the #8 spot 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full IUPUI Public Administration Report

#9

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

Indiana University - South Bend landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is located in South Bend, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

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

#10

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. GSU is located in University Park, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

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

Read full report on Public Administration at Governors State University

University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 12 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 UM Dearborn are $25,072.

Read more about Public Administration at UM Dearborn

#12

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 93 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #4 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 Central Michigan are $19,359.

Read more about Public Administration at Central Michigan University

#13

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Southern Indiana is a public institution located in Evansville, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees 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 University of Southern Indiana are $20,039.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Southern Indiana

#14

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at NIU

University of Michigan - Flint landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 47 masters’s public admin degrees 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 University of Michigan - Flint are $18,202, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at UM Flint

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 86 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed 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 University - Main Campus are $37,141.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Public Administration Report

#17

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University 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 Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 31 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Public Administration at Oakland University

#18

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #18, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295.

Read more about Public Administration at UWM

#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 Getting Aid list. Purdue University Fort Wayne is a medium-sized school located in Fort Wayne, Indiana that handed out 8 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at PFW are $14,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Purdue University Fort Wayne

#20

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#16 in overall quality

Ball State University 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 Getting Aid ranking. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large 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 Ball State, the school also landed the #16 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 Ball State are $26,204.

Read more about Public Administration at Ball State

#21

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 85 masters’s degrees 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read more about Public Administration at Northwestern

#22

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

With a ranking of #22, 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 Getting Aid list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school awarded 33 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin 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

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 29 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 SIUE are $9,300.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Public Administration Report

#24

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

With a ranking of #24, Indiana State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Indiana State University 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 more about Public Administration at Indiana State University

With a ranking of #25, Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 23 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wright State University - Main Campus are $24,286, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Wright State University - Main Campus 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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