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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

93 Ranked Colleges
15,530 Degrees Awarded
$14,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 93 colleges that offer a degree 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 787 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,619 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

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

2

Out of the 93 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #2 spot on the list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 888 students in 2020-2021.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $12,416 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

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

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 231 ’s public administration and social service degrees 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. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $14,321 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.

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

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. 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 made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $14,878 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 333 students in 2020-2021.

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. It costs about $13,214 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid per year to attend UIC.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UIC

6

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 304 students 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 $17,234 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

7

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 108 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Eau Claire, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Eau Claire is $16,051 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

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

8

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 130 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Whitewater, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $14,417 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid.

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

9

Indiana University - Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. 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 $6,363 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend Indiana University - Northwest.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at IU Northwest

10

With a ranking of #10, Indiana University - South Bend did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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 estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $9,646 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Public Administration & Social Service Report

11

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 263 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

UWM also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $17,486 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

12
IU East crest
Indiana University - East
Richmond, Indiana

With a ranking of #12, Indiana University - East did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Richmond, Indiana, this small public school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - East is $9,285 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid.

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

13

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UW Oshkosh is a fairly large public school situated in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It awarded 162 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW Oshkosh is $14,687 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid.

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

14

With a ranking of #14, 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 Getting Aid list. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 57 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

UW - Stevens Point also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $13,346 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

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

15
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #15, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 102 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $14,765 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

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%.

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

16

University of Illinois at Springfield ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 109 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $12,034 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UIS

17

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 733 students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $16,845 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Ohio State

18

Youngstown State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large school located in Youngstown, Ohio that handed out 166 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,225 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend Youngstown State University.

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

19
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Northwestern University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 229 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $23,279 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend Northwestern.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Northwestern

20

University of Wisconsin - Superior ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UW - Superior is a small school located in Superior, Wisconsin that handed out 22 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Superior is $14,084 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid.

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

21
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 494 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wayne State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,962 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend Wayne State University.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Wayne State

22
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Aurora University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Aurora is a medium-sized school located in Aurora, Illinois that handed out 742 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Aurora, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora University is $16,994 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Aurora

23

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UW - Green Bay is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 115 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,092 for great lakes region public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

24
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 106 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $19,058 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid per year to attend Michigan State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

25
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution located in University Center, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 161 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Saginaw Valley State University is $14,279 for Great Lakes Region Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Saginaw Valley State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

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