ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Educational Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region

71 Colleges in the United States
4,625 Educational Administration Degrees Awarded
$62,173 Avg Early-Career Salary

Educational Administration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 127 schools to find the best for educational administration students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/educational-administration/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/educational-administration/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/educational-administration/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/educational-administration/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/educational-administration/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/educational-administration/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/educational-administration/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 8
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 13.04), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Educational Administration (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Educational Administration (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MEd in Curriculum & Instruction - Education Leadership" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MEd in Curriculum & Instruction - Education Leadership" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Higher Education Administration" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Higher Education Administration" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Leadership (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Leadership (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Educational Leadership (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Educational Leadership (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Educational Leadership (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Educational Leadership (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Educational Leadership (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Educational Leadership (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Business Administration - Organizational Leadership" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Business Administration - Organizational Leadership" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 8
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 5 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 5
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Educational Administration in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall educational administration education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Educational Administration

1

University Of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in educational administration. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 37 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $78,187 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete this degree. Read more about the educational administration program at University Of Notre Dame

2

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in educational administration, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 39 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $60,945 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in educational administration from Northwestern University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the top schools for educational administration. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 50 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $61,834 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree. Read more about the educational administration program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

4
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Students looking for a strong educational administration program will find one at Butler University, which ranked #4. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $68,222 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete this degree. Read more about the educational administration program at Butler University

5

Concordia University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in educational administration, ranking #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of River Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. About 326 educational administration degrees were awarded at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $91,059. Concordia University Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. Read more about the educational administration program at Concordia University Chicago

6
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #6 for educational administration this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 72 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Educational 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 educational administration details for Michigan State University

7

University Of Evansville landed the #7 spot for educational administration this year. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. University Of Evansville graduates 65% of students within six years. About 32 educational administration degrees were awarded at University Of Evansville in the most recent year. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $59,618 early in their careers. University Of Evansville graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. See the full educational administration program report for University Of Evansville

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #8 spot for educational administration this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 35 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $53,861 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete this degree. Read more about the educational administration program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

9

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for educational administration 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. About 108 educational administration degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $36,487. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. More information about a degree in educational administration from Ohio State University Main Campus

10

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #10 for educational administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 75 educational administration degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $55,677. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. More information about a degree in educational administration from University Of Wisconsin Madison

11

Illinois State University placed #11 among the best educational administration schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 49 educational administration degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $89,114 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete this degree. Get the full educational administration details for Illinois State University

12

University Of St Francis landed the #12 spot for educational administration this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 66 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Francis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $88,450 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,695 to complete this degree. See the full educational administration program report for University Of St Francis

13
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #13 position for educational administration this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 19 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $68,961 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete this degree. Read more about the educational administration program at Depaul University

14

Loyola University Chicago ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best educational 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. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 36 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $55,802 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. See the full educational administration program report for Loyola University Chicago

15

University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #15 position for educational administration this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. University Of Wisconsin River Falls awarded about 73 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,245. Get the full educational administration details for University Of Wisconsin River Falls

16

University Of Dayton landed the #16 spot for educational administration this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Dayton awarded about 176 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from University Of Dayton earn around $54,726 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033. More information about a degree in educational administration from University Of Dayton

17

Miami University Oxford placed #17 among the best educational administration schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 educational administration degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $73,399. Typical student debt for the program is $24,177. See the full educational administration program report for Miami University Oxford

18

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #18 position for educational administration this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. About 123 educational administration degrees were awarded at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn around $65,337 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,807. See the full educational administration program report for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

19
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best educational administration schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 11 educational administration degrees were awarded at Calvin College in the most recent year. Educational Administration graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. Calvin College graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans. More information about a degree in educational administration from Calvin College

20

Northern Illinois University came in at #20 for educational administration this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Northern Illinois University awarded about 107 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $63,264 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. More information about a degree in educational administration from Northern Illinois University

21

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best educational administration schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. About 22% of students finish within six years. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 55 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $82,842 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree. Read more about the educational administration program at Northeastern Illinois University

22

University Of Southern Indiana earned the #22 position for educational administration this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 32 educational administration degrees were awarded at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent year. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. University Of Southern Indiana graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. More information about a degree in educational administration from University Of Southern Indiana

23

Roosevelt University landed the #23 spot for educational administration this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roosevelt University graduates 46% of students within six years. About 49 educational administration degrees were awarded at Roosevelt University in the most recent year. Educational Administration graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $100,024 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete this degree. See the full educational administration program report for Roosevelt University

24

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #24 spot for educational administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 86 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $64,406 in their early career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Get the full educational administration details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

25
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College placed #25 among the best educational administration schools. 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. There were roughly 28 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of North Central College earn a median of $81,014 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,699. Get the full educational administration details for North Central College

Rest of the Top 50 Educational Administration Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s educational administration ranking:

26
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
27
28
29
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
30
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
31
32
33
34
35
36
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
37
38
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
39
40
41
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
42
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL
43
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI
44
45
46
47
48
49
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
50
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Additional Educational Administration Award Winners

These schools also stood out for educational administration:

Rank School Location
#51 Alverno College Milwaukee, WI
#67 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for educational administration:

Narrow Educational Administration Schools by State

ADBLOCK #173
View All Educational Administration Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 127 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options