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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in the Great Lakes Region

115 Ranked Colleges
6,464 Degrees Awarded
$15,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor's in the Great Lakes Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 6,464 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,075 and $25,381 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 115 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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 Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region” 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in the Great Lakes Region

#1

University of Wisconsin - River Falls

River Falls, Wisconsin
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a medium-sized school located in River Falls, Wisconsin that handed out 21 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - River Falls also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $13,748 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls.

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

Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Public Administration & Social Service Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 72 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Eau Claire also took the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Eau Claire is $16,020 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UW - Eau Claire

#3

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin
#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a medium-sized school located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin that handed out 62 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students list, UW - Stevens Point has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,465 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

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

#4

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University Global. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Global is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 196 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Purdue University Global

#19 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 204 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

IWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $22,207 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at IWU

#15 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UW Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 105 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Oshkosh also took the #15 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,463 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students per year to attend UW Oshkosh.

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

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of Wisconsin - Superior did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Superior is a small public school situated in Superior, Wisconsin. It awarded 38 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Superior also took the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Superior is $13,774 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UW - Superior

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to 50 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,395 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.

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

#9

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. WIU is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 39 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $16,210 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at WIU

#10

Saint Augustine College

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Augustine College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Saint Augustine College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 25 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Augustine College is $12,193 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

Full Saint Augustine College Public Administration & Social Service Report

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 38 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $14,423 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#12

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

With a ranking of #12, Ferris State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Ferris is a public institution located in Big Rapids, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 67 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Ferris State University is $12,889 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Ferris

#13

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Whitewater is a public institution located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 85 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $15,249 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

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

#14

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to 81 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Youngstown State University is $11,947 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

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

#15

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

La Crosse, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #15. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UW - La Crosse is $14,580 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

#16

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, Indiana

Purdue University Northwest landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Hammond, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Purdue Northwest is $11,250 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Purdue University Northwest

#17

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 65 degrees to qualified bachelors’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $19,433 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend WMU.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at WMU

With a ranking of #18, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 47 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,945 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students per year to attend SIUC.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at SIUC

#19

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. GVSU is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 153 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $17,646 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend Grand Valley State University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at GVSU

#20

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon, Ohio
#17 in overall quality

Mount Vernon Nazarene University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Mount Vernon, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 41 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

MVNU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Mount Vernon Nazarene University is $20,282 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Mount Vernon Nazarene University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#21

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Illinois State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 51 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,895 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend Illinois State.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Illinois State

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 57 degrees to qualified bachelors’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $18,394 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students per year to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

#23

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 94 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

UWM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UWM is $17,876 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

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

#24

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Evansville, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to 59 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend USI is $13,437 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

The low student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 University of Southern Indiana

#25

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 176 degrees to qualified bachelors’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,924 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend Eastern Michigan.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Eastern Michigan University

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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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