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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Educational Administration Schools in Illinois

19 Colleges in the United States
1,443 Educational Administration Degrees Awarded
$71,622 Avg Early-Career Salary

Educational Administration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. 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 30 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for educational administration students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Educational Administration in Illinois

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 educational administration degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Educational Administration

1

Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best educational administration schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $60,945 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full educational administration program report for Northwestern University

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in educational administration, ranking #2. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 50 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,834 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Get the full educational administration details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

3

Concordia University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in educational administration, ranking #3. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. Concordia University Chicago awarded about 326 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $91,059 in their early career. Concordia University Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. More information about a degree in educational administration from Concordia University Chicago

4

Illinois State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best educational administration schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 49 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $89,114 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Read more about the educational administration program at Illinois State University

5

University Of St Francis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in educational administration, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Francis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $88,450. University Of St Francis graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. More information about a degree in educational administration from University Of St Francis

6
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #6 among the best educational administration schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $68,961 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310. Read more about the educational administration program at Depaul University

7

Loyola University Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best educational administration schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 36 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago 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. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. Read more about the educational administration program at Loyola University Chicago

8

Northern Illinois University came in at #8 for educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 107 educational administration degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational 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 educational administration from Northern Illinois University

9

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for educational administration this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 55 educational administration degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $82,842 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,600. See the full educational administration program report for Northeastern Illinois University

10

Roosevelt University came in at #10 for educational administration this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Roosevelt University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from Roosevelt University earn around $100,024 in the first couple years of their career. Roosevelt University graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Read more about the educational administration program at Roosevelt University

11
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College landed the #11 spot for educational administration this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Naperville. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 28 educational administration degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from North Central College earn around $81,014 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in educational administration from North Central College

12
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University placed #12 among the best educational administration schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 46 educational administration degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from Aurora University earn around $90,978 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,507. More information about a degree in educational administration from Aurora University

13
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #13 among the best educational administration schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 23 educational administration degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $55,718 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,838. Get the full educational administration details for Lewis University

14

Eastern Illinois University placed #14 among the best educational administration schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 68 educational administration degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $67,396 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete this degree. Get the full educational administration details for Eastern Illinois University

15

National Louis University came in at #15 for educational administration this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. National Louis University graduates 30% of students within six years. There were roughly 175 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at National Louis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $87,412 in their early career. National Louis University graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Read more about the educational administration program at National Louis University

16
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University landed the #16 spot for educational administration this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of University Park. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. Governors State University awarded about 17 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $80,009 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete this degree. Read more about the educational administration program at Governors State University

17

North Park University placed #17 among the best educational administration schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at North Park University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $51,611 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,360. Read more about the educational administration program at North Park University

18
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL

Rockford College landed the #18 spot for educational administration this year. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. About 47% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Rockford College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Rockford College generally make around $73,751. Typical student debt for the program is $28,094. More information about a degree in educational administration from Rockford College

19

Western Illinois University earned the #19 position for educational administration this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Illinois University awarded about 26 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $113,839 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,639. See the full educational administration program report for Western Illinois University

20

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #20 position for educational administration this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 129 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $46,568. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in educational administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

21

University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #21 position for educational administration this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates 52% of students within six years. About 27 educational administration degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $60,442 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete this degree. See the full educational administration program report for University Of Illinois At Springfield

22

Mckendree University placed #22 among the best educational administration schools. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. Mckendree University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Mckendree University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from Mckendree University earn around $57,251 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,362. See the full educational administration program report for Mckendree University

23

Chicago State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best educational administration schools. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 16%. About 20 educational administration degrees were awarded at Chicago State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $47,477 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $43,322. See the full educational administration program report for Chicago State University

24

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #24 spot for educational administration this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 18 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $43,161. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $23,730 in student loans. See the full educational administration program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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