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2027 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region

129 Colleges in the United States
13,418 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$46,399 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 129 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public administration & social service students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration & social service. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 173 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $60,971. Students borrow a median of $18,608 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Northwestern University

2

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 637 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,046 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Indiana University Bloomington

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 744 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $57,140 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

4

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #4. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 248 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $61,112 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,492. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Chicago

5

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #5. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 263 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $43,709 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,344 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

6

Michigan Technological University placed #6 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. Michigan Technological University awarded about 14 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Michigan Technological University earn around $64,652 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Michigan Technological University

7

University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #7 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. University Of Wisconsin Stout awarded about 20 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $54,235 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Wisconsin Stout

8

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #8 among the best public administration & social service schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 458 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $61,444. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,398 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

9

Case Western Reserve University landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 167 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $51,720. Typical student debt for the program is $25,106. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Case Western Reserve University

10

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #10 among the best public administration & social service schools. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. About 95 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $40,562 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

11

Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates 75% of students within six years. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 13 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Illinois Institute Of Technology

12

Loyola University Chicago landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 312 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $51,834 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,133 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Loyola University Chicago

13

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earned the #13 position for public administration & social service this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Addison. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois graduates 42% of students within six years. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois awarded about 150 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $101,006 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois

14
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #14 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Marquette University earn around $37,494 in the first couple years of their career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Marquette University

15

University Of Dayton landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. About 20 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $56,077 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Dayton

16

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 769 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,234 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,172 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Ohio State University Main Campus

17
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University earned the #17 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Xavier University awarded about 18 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $55,045 in their early career. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Xavier University

18

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #18 position for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 272 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $48,426. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

19
Marian University Indiana crest
Marian University Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

Marian University Indiana earned the #19 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 13 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Marian University Indiana in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Marian University Indiana earn a median of $49,784 early in their careers. Marian University Indiana graduates carry a median of $28,633 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Marian University Indiana

20

Adler School Of Professional Psychology landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Adler School Of Professional Psychology awarded about 32 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Adler School Of Professional Psychology earn a median of $55,542 early in their careers. Get the full public administration & social service details for Adler School Of Professional Psychology

21

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #21 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates 54% of students within six years. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 729 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $47,249 in their early career. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $20,736 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

22
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Michigan State University awarded about 108 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $44,898 early in their careers. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $26,285 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Michigan State University

23

Northern Illinois University came in at #23 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $62,486 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Northern Illinois University

24

Bradley University came in at #24 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 10 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $36,017. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Bradley University

25

Ball State University landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. Ball State University awarded about 119 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $39,154 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,900 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Ball State University

Rest of the Top 50 Public Administration & Social Service Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public administration & social service ranking:

26
27
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
28
29
30
31
32
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
33
34
35
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
36
37
38
Trinity Christian College crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL
39
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
40
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
41
42
43
44
45
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
46
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 129 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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