2026 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-ops-support-assistant-services/administrative-assistant-and-secretarial-science-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general administrative assistant and secretarial science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 94 schools to find the best return on investment for general administrative assistant and secretarial science students.
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2026 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general administrative assistant and secretarial science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools
For return on investment in general administrative assistant and secretarial science, no school beat Washtenaw Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $46,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #3 place for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $14,636. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $39,394. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
College Of Lake County landed the #6 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $9,785. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College placed #7 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Oakton Community College came in at #8 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College earned the #9 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College landed the #10 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $9,041. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morton College landed the #11 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Set in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,884, with out-of-state students paying around $11,028. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $7,734. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $36,121. Set against $7,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeshore Technical College landed the #12 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $41,252. That is a strong return on a $11,582 median debt.
Gateway Technical College earned the #13 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Students borrow a median of $18,510 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $31,491 early in their careers. Set against $18,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #14 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $27,494. Set against $16,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College placed #15 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #16 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Gateway Community College earned the #17 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,225, compared with $6,071 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,642 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Eastern Gateway Community College generally make around $37,052. Set against $10,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College placed #18 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #19 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $42,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid Michigan Community College came in at #20 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the rural area of Harrison, Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,132, compared with $10,864 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $18,878 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Mid Michigan Community College generally make around $43,078. Set against $18,878 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #21 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $13,319. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $44,020. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College placed #22 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Students borrow a median of $11,626 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $41,678. Set against $11,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #23 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $11,709. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College placed #24 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $48,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College earned the #25 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $22,650 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $36,178. Set against $22,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- 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.
