2026 Best Public Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in public administration. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 83 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $73,260. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Read more about the public administration program at Northwestern University

2

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 556 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $52,502 in their early career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $20,731 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Indiana University Bloomington

3

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Marion. About 21 public administration degrees were awarded at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $47,491 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,807 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

4

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. 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 164 public administration degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $50,294 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,887 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Ohio State University Main Campus

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $59,815 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,115. Get the full public administration details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

6

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 22 public administration degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $65,378 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Depaul University

7

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #7 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 11 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $71,315 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for Illinois Institute Of Technology

8

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University came in at #8 for public administration this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 31 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $62,849 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,209. Get the full public administration details for Northern Illinois University

9

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford came in at #9 for public administration this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 13 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $45,278 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,731 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Miami University Oxford

10

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #10 position for public administration this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 90 public administration degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $66,900. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

11

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #11 spot for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 13 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $58,659 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530. Get the full public administration details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

12

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #12 among the best public administration schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn around $46,561 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,657. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

13

Calumet College Of Saint Joseph
Whiting, IN

Calumet College Of Saint Joseph placed #13 among the best public administration schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Whiting. About 22% of students finish within six years. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph awarded about 21 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Calumet College Of Saint Joseph earn a median of $111,396 early in their careers. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph graduates carry a median of $24,428 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Calumet College Of Saint Joseph

14

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #14 spot for public administration this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn around $44,951 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,187 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

15

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #15 among the best public administration schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 46 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $56,767 early in their careers. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Central Michigan University

16

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #16 for public administration this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Oakland University awarded about 23 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Oakland University earn around $55,254 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Oakland University

17

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University came in at #17 for public administration this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grand Valley State University awarded about 49 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $46,843 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,697 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University

18

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #18 spot for public administration this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 63 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $61,014 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at University Of Illinois At Springfield

19

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 15 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Northern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $40,508 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,608. See the full public administration program report for Northern Michigan University

20

Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. About 3% of students finish within six years. About 58 public administration degrees were awarded at Franklin University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Franklin University earn around $63,922 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,890. See the full public administration program report for Franklin University

21

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #21 position for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Detroit. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $50,539 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,750. Get the full public administration details for Wayne State University

22

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #22 for public administration this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 33 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $55,481 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,546. More information about a degree in public administration from Ohio University Main Campus

23

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University placed #23 among the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Western Michigan University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Western Michigan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $58,501. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Western Michigan University

24

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University came in at #24 for public administration this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 public administration degrees were awarded at National Louis University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $53,733. Typical student debt for the program is $29,242. See the full public administration program report for National Louis University

25

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent landed the #25 spot for public administration this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 23 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $66,131 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Kent State University At Kent