2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 70 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Administration Schools
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis tops our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $66,900. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $61,014. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for public administration. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $59,815. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Governors State University, which ranked #4. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $51,711. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for public administration. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $25,209. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $62,849. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Purdue University Global placed #6 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $36,778. Early-career public administration graduates make about $54,735. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
Oakland University earned the #7 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $55,254. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #8 for value in public administration this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,731 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #9 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $62,493 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #10 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $51,703. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #11 among the best values for public administration. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $27,187 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $44,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $65,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #13 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $30,750. Early-career public administration graduates make about $50,539. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Central Michigan University landed the #14 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $56,767. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #15 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $32,807. Public Administration graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $47,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in public administration this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $47,732. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $26,657. Early-career public administration graduates make about $46,561. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
National Louis University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $29,242. Public Administration graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cleveland State University came in at #19 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $45,470. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $21,887 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $50,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University landed the #21 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,697 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $46,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #22 for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $60,337. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Toledo placed #23 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Northern Michigan University placed #24 among the best values for public administration. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. Set against $22,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Public Administration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public administration this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
