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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region

25 Colleges in the United States
504 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Degrees Awarded
$59,320 Avg Early-Career Salary

Higher Education/Higher Education Administration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for higher education/higher education administration students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for Higher Education/Higher Education 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 higher education/higher education administration degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration

1

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in higher education/higher education administration. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $60,945 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Northwestern University

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in higher education/higher education administration, ranking #2. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 14 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,834. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from University Of Illinois At Chicago

3

Concordia University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Concordia University Chicago earn around $91,059 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,956. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Concordia University Chicago

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

Students looking for a strong higher education/higher education administration program will find one at Michigan State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 39 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $73,134 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Michigan State University

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $53,861 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete this degree. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

6

Loyola University Chicago placed #6 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $55,802 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Loyola University Chicago

7

Northern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $63,264 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Northern Illinois University

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #8 for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 16 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $64,406 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

9

National Louis University placed #9 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 30% of students finish within six years. About 25 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at National Louis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from National Louis University earn around $87,412 in the first couple years of their career. National Louis University graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for National Louis University

10

Grand Valley State University placed #10 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $53,932 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,378. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Grand Valley State University

11

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $51,665. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Ohio University Main Campus

12
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University earned the #12 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oakland University awarded about 11 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $71,472 in their early career. Oakland University graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Oakland University

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #13 for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 10 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $46,568. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

14

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #14 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates 71% of students within six years. About 35 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $45,222 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

15

Eastern Michigan University placed #15 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Eastern Michigan University earn around $70,709 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete this degree. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Eastern Michigan University

16

Kent State University At Kent earned the #16 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $54,199 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from Kent State University At Kent

17

University Of Toledo placed #17 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $49,088 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,923. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from University Of Toledo

18

Baldwin Wallace College came in at #18 for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Baldwin Wallace College graduates 67% of students within six years. Baldwin Wallace College awarded about 10 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $54,167 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,307. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Baldwin Wallace College

19

Lansing Community College came in at #19 for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Lansing Community College awarded about 15 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $46,103 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,700. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Lansing Community College

20
Tiffin University crest
Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH

Tiffin University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Tiffin. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 17 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Tiffin University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $49,452. Typical student debt for the program is $30,977. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Tiffin University

21
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global landed the #21 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. Purdue University Global awarded about 77 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $41,433 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $44,436. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Purdue University Global

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 48 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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