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2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

93 Ranked Colleges
15,530 Degrees Awarded
$7,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Public Administration & Social Service is the 14th most popular major in the country with 98,583 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,520 and had an average of $27,642 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 15,530 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,225 and $28,107 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 93 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration and social service. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public administration and social service programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

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

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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 Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 586 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $2,500 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UChicago.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Chicago

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 229 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $245 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full Northwestern Public Administration & Social Service Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 674 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $2,670 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at U-M

4

Out of the 93 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #4 spot on the list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 787 students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Public Administration & Social Service Report

5

Out of the 93 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 304 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $3,981 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UW - Madison

6

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 231 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UIUC Public Administration & Social Service Report

7

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 888 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

IUPUI also took the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $7,026 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 & Social Service at IUPUI

8

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 733 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $7,068 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Public Administration & Social Service Report

9
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 106 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $6,927 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Michigan State University

10

Indiana University - South Bend did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. South Bend, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - South Bend is $5,504 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Indiana University - South Bend

11
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #11, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 102 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,273 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ball State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Ball State Public Administration & Social Service Report

12

With a ranking of #12, Indiana University - Northwest did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Gary, Indiana, and it awarded 56 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,714 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Northwest.

Full IU Northwest Public Administration & Social Service Report

13

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 108 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $9,547 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Public Administration & Social Service Report

14

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 333 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

UIC also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $10,549 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Illinois at Chicago

15
IU East crest
Indiana University - East
Richmond, Indiana

With a ranking of #15, Indiana University - East did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. IU East is a public institution located in Richmond, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - East is $5,516 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full IU East Public Administration & Social Service Report

16
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ferris is a fairly large public school situated in Big Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 102 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,577 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ferris.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Ferris

17
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 92 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $8,949 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Oakland University

18

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 24 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,438 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW - River Falls.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - River Falls Public Administration & Social Service Report

19

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 130 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,143 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW - Whitewater.

Full UW - Whitewater Public Administration & Social Service Report

20

With a ranking of #20, University of Wisconsin - Superior did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Superior is a public institution located in Superior, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Superior is $9,360 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of Wisconsin - Superior Public Administration & Social Service Report

21
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 494 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Wayne State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,060 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wayne State University.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Wayne State

22
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Aurora is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 742 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Aurora has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Aurora is $13,571 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at Aurora University

23

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school awarded 323 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

GVSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,259 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k 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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at GVSU

24

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. UIS is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 109 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $10,831 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UIS

25

With a ranking of #25, Youngstown State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Youngstown State University is located in Youngstown, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 166 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $9,175 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Full Youngstown State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

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