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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region

53 Colleges in the United States
2,961 General Educational Leadership & Administration Degrees Awarded
$65,058 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Educational Leadership & Administration programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general educational leadership & administration programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 104 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general educational leadership & administration students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Educational Leadership & Administration 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 general educational leadership & administration degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Educational Leadership & Administration

1

University Of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general educational leadership & administration. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $78,187 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,891. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at University Of Notre Dame

2
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general educational leadership & administration, ranking #2. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 12 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $68,222 in their early career. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Butler University

3

Concordia University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general educational leadership & administration, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 36% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Chicago awarded about 254 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $91,059 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,956. More information about a degree in general educational leadership & administration from Concordia University Chicago

4
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general educational leadership & administration, landing the #4 spot 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 33 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $73,134. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Michigan State University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Evansville one of the top schools for general educational leadership & administration. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evansville. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Evansville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $59,618 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at University Of Evansville

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #6 spot for general educational leadership & administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 75 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $55,677 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

7

Illinois State University earned the #7 position for general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 36 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $89,114. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for Illinois State University

8

University Of St Francis landed the #8 spot for general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Francis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $88,450. Students borrow a median of $25,695 to complete this degree. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for University Of St Francis

9
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #9 for general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 19 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $68,961 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310. Get the full general educational leadership & administration details for Depaul University

10

Loyola University Chicago ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 21 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $55,802. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. More information about a degree in general educational leadership & administration from Loyola University Chicago

11

University Of Dayton earned the #11 position for general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 125 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $54,726 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at University Of Dayton

12

Miami University Oxford came in at #12 for general educational leadership & administration this year. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Miami University Oxford awarded about 71 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $73,399 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,177. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Miami University Oxford

13

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #13 spot for general educational leadership & administration this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Marion. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global awarded about 48 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $65,337 in their early career. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global graduates carry a median of $32,807 in student loans. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

14
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College earned the #14 position for general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at Calvin College in the most recent year. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete this degree. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for Calvin College

15

Northern Illinois University landed the #15 spot for general educational leadership & administration this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $63,264 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general educational leadership & administration from Northern Illinois University

16

Northeastern Illinois University earned the #16 position for general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $82,842 early in their careers. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Northeastern Illinois University

17

University Of Southern Indiana placed #17 among the best general educational leadership & administration schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 26 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from University Of Southern Indiana earn around $47,216 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,999. More information about a degree in general educational leadership & administration from University Of Southern Indiana

18

Roosevelt University landed the #18 spot for general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 47 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at Roosevelt University in the most recent data year. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $100,024 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,879. More information about a degree in general educational leadership & administration from Roosevelt University

19

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #19 among the best general educational leadership & administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 46 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $64,406 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530. More information about a degree in general educational leadership & administration from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

20
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College came in at #20 for general educational leadership & administration this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. North Central College graduates 64% of students within six years. About 22 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $81,014 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,699. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for North Central College

21
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #21 spot for general educational leadership & administration this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 46 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from Aurora University earn around $90,978 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree. Get the full general educational leadership & administration details for Aurora University

22

Ball State University came in at #22 for general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ball State University awarded about 88 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $63,782 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete this degree. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Ball State University

23

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #23 position for general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 34 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $75,257. Typical student debt for the program is $20,542. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Indiana University Bloomington

24
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #24 spot for general educational leadership & administration this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from Lewis University earn around $55,718 in the first couple years of their career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Get the full general educational leadership & administration details for Lewis University

25
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general educational leadership & administration schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Xavier University awarded about 17 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for Xavier University

Rest of the Top 50 General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general educational leadership & administration education:

26
27
28
29
30
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
31
32
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
33
34
35
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
36
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI
37
38
39
40
41
42
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
43
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
44
Alverno College crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI
45
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
46
47
48
49
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI
50
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Additional General Educational Leadership & Administration Award Winners

These schools also stood out for general educational leadership & administration:

Rank School Location
#59 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI

Narrow General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools by State

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 104 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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