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2027 Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region

36 Colleges in the United States
1,684 Public Administration Degrees Awarded
$56,624 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best public administration schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Administration in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public administration degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Public Administration

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 67 public administration degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $73,260. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at Northwestern University

2

Indiana University Bloomington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #2. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 600 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,502. Students borrow a median of $20,731 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Indiana University Bloomington

3

A rank of #3 makes Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global one of the top schools for public administration. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 11 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $47,491 early in their careers. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global graduates carry a median of $33,307 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

4

Illinois Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 13 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $71,315 in their early career. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Illinois Institute Of Technology

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the top schools for public administration. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 32 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $59,815 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,115. See the full public administration program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

6

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 177 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $50,294 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,887 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

7

University Of Dayton ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. University Of Dayton awarded about 12 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $56,077 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033. Get the full public administration details for University Of Dayton

8
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #8 among the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 public administration degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $65,378. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for Depaul University

9

Northern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for public administration this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $62,849 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,209. More information about a degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University

10

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #10 for public administration this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 85 public administration degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $66,900 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full public administration program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

11

Miami University Oxford ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 11 public administration degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $45,278. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $25,731 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Miami University Oxford

12

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #12 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 14 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

13

Calumet College Of Saint Joseph ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the suburb of Whiting, Calumet College Of Saint Joseph is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. There were roughly 29 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Calumet College Of Saint Joseph in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Calumet College Of Saint Joseph earn around $111,396 in the first couple years of their career. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph graduates carry a median of $24,428 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at Calumet College Of Saint Joseph

14
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #14 among the best public administration schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Central Michigan University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 39 public administration degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Central Michigan University earn around $56,767 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,500. Get the full public administration details for Central Michigan University

15

Grand Valley State University earned the #15 position for public administration this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grand Valley State University awarded about 51 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $46,843 in their early career. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $25,697 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Grand Valley State University

16

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. About 36 public administration degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $55,481 early in their careers. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Ohio University Main Campus

17

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #17 among the best public administration schools. This large public university is located in the city of Oshkosh. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $65,648 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,619. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

18

Kent State University At Kent landed the #18 spot for public administration this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. About 25 public administration degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $66,131 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,174. Get the full public administration details for Kent State University At Kent

19

National Louis University placed #19 among the best public administration schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. National Louis University graduates 30% of students within six years. About 13 public administration degrees were awarded at National Louis University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $53,733 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for National Louis University

20

University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates 52% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 55 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $61,014 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at University Of Illinois At Springfield

21
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University earned the #21 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 3% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 57 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Franklin University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $63,922 in their early career. Franklin University graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Franklin University

22

Western Michigan University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Western Michigan University awarded about 14 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Western Michigan University earn around $58,501 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,981. See the full public administration program report for Western Michigan University

23

Wayne State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $50,539 early in their careers. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Wayne State University

24
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University came in at #24 for public administration this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 16 public administration degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $42,605 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,507. See the full public administration program report for Aurora University

25

Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best public administration schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 19 public administration degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $37,119. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

Rest of the Top 36 Public Administration Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public administration ranking:

26
27
28
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
29
30
31
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN
32
33
34
35
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI
36

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 36 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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