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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

93 Ranked Colleges
15,530 Degrees Awarded
$8,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 $30-$48k” 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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 93 colleges that offered a degree in public administration and social service. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration and social service programs, but they also 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 and social service program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 93 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 586 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,777 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UChicago.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.

Read more about 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 $30-$48k. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 229 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $917 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Northwestern University

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 $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 674 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $5,670 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

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

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 787 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $7,061 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Indiana University - Bloomington

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 304 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,788 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at UW - Madison

6

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 888 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,216 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full IUPUI Public Administration & Social Service Report

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 231 students in 2020-2021.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,036 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIUC.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

8

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 733 ’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 $30-$48k list, Ohio State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus is $8,581 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Ohio State

9

With a ranking of #9, Indiana University - South Bend did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - South Bend is located in South Bend, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 62 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - South Bend is $6,544 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

10

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 108 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UW - Eau Claire also took the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $10,658 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UW - Eau Claire Public Administration & Social Service Report

11
IU East crest
Indiana University - East
Richmond, Indiana

Indiana University - East came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Richmond, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend IU East is $6,831 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at IU East

12

Indiana University - Northwest landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. IU Northwest is a small school located in Gary, Indiana that handed out 56 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for IU Northwest is $3,534 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

13

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 333 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,351 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 University of Illinois at Chicago Public Administration & Social Service Report

14

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 109 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Springfield is $8,482 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Public Administration & Social Service Report

15
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Oakland is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,839 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakland.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Oakland

16
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball 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 $30-$48k ranking. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 102 students in 2020-2021.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $10,786 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Ball State Public Administration & Social Service Report

17
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Wayne State is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 494 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wayne State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $11,414 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Wayne State

18
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Aurora University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Aurora, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 742 students in 2020-2021.

Aurora also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Aurora University is $13,273 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

19

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 130 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $10,390 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

20

With a ranking of #20, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stevens Point, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Stevens Point has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $9,052 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Public Administration & Social Service Report

21

University of Wisconsin - Superior did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. 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.

It costs about $10,068 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Superior.

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

22

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized school located in River Falls, Wisconsin that handed out 24 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,478 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - River Falls.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - River Falls Public Administration & Social Service Report

23

Youngstown State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 166 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,972 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Youngstown State University

24

Grand Valley State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 323 students in 2020-2021.

GVSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $11,026 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Grand Valley State University

25
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, Ohio

With a ranking of #25, Stark State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Canton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Stark State College is $7,437 for great lakes region public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Stark State College

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