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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

70 Ranked Colleges
7,451 Degrees Awarded
$26,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 97,666 people earned their degree in public administration and social service, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $39,142 and had an average of $32,304 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 15,401 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,285 and $30,558 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 7,451 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 70 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration and social service. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration and social service 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 and social service program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

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

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 132 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 University are $56,567.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 536 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UChicago

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 522 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at U-M

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 210 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#5

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 203 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Full IU Bloomington Public Administration & Social Service Report

#6

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

Franklin University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Franklin University are $16,080, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Franklin University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 152 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UIUC

#6 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 451 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 Ohio State are $37,141.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Ohio State

Indiana University - Northwest came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Gary, Indiana, this small public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Northwest are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#11 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 469 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, IUPUI has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013.

Full IUPUI Public Administration & Social Service Report

#11

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 85 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#12

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Green Bay, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #12, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Green Bay is a medium-sized public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 60 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay are $19,126.

Full University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Public Administration & Social Service Report

#12 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 341 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UIC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UIC

#14

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

Indiana University - South Bend came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is a small school located in South Bend, Indiana that handed out 7 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Indiana University - South Bend, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 Indiana University - South Bend are $18,275.

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

#15

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

Grand Valley State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school handed out 176 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at GVSU are $17,448, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full GVSU Public Administration & Social Service Report

With a ranking of #16, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 44 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh are $18,744.

Full UW Oshkosh Public Administration & Social Service Report

#7 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 223 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Case Western Reserve University

#17

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#24 in overall quality

Oakland University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Oakland also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland University are $24,648.

Full Oakland Public Administration & Social Service Report

#19

Indiana University - East

Richmond, Indiana

Indiana University - East ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - East is located in Richmond, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IU East are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - East Public Administration & Social Service Report

With a ranking of #20, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SIUE is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 58 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SIUE Public Administration & Social Service Report

#21

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Aurora University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 474 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Aurora, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service 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 Aurora University are $13,200.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Aurora University

#22

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 27 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Whitewater are $19,200.

Full UW - Whitewater Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Evansville, Indiana, this fairly large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

USI also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USI are $20,039, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at USI

#24

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ferris State University is a public institution located in Big Rapids, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ferris are $7,908, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

University of Michigan - Flint did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. This medium-sized school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 47 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Flint are $18,202, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UM Flint

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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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