2027 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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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
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
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.
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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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
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
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
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
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:
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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.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.