2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,126. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.

2

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Joliet Junior College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $36,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.

3

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #3. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $32,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

A rank of #4 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $31,456. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH

Columbus State Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the value program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $39,246. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Rice Lake, WI

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,384. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.

8

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
Blue Ash, OH

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #8 among the best values for value. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Students borrow a median of $16,545 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $35,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI

Fox Valley Technical College landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Value graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt.

10

Heartland Community College
Normal, IL

Heartland Community College earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,110. Value graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Value graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Fox College Inc
Tinley Park, IL

Fox College Inc came in at #11 for value in value this year. Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tinley Park. Students from in state pay about $17,670 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,722. Early-career value graduates make about $36,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

12

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for value. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,098 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $43,747. That is a strong return on a $17,098 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

13

Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI

Madison Area Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,500. Early-career value graduates make about $34,698. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.

14

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Northcentral Technical College landed the #14 spot for value value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Value graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $41,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Kent State University At Tuscarawas
New Philadelphia, OH

Kent State University At Tuscarawas ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Kent State University At Tuscarawas generally make around $33,716. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.

16

Baker College Of Flint
Owosso, MI

Baker College Of Flint landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,000. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,603. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Baker College Of Flint generally make around $35,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

17

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #17 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Value graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $41,400. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

18

International Business College Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

International Business College Indianapolis landed the #18 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, International Business College Indianapolis is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,170 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $13,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from International Business College Indianapolis generally make around $30,508. Set against $13,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. International Business College Indianapolis admits about 75% of applicants.

19

Caris College
Jeffersonville, IN

Caris College landed the #19 spot for value value this year. Caris College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Jeffersonville.

20

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College
Rockford, IL

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College landed the #20 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,699. Students borrow a median of $18,007 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $30,486. That is a strong return on a $18,007 median debt.

21

Stautzenberger College Maumee
Maumee, OH

Stautzenberger College Maumee ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Maumee, Stautzenberger College Maumee is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,699. Value graduates carry a median of $21,219 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $31,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Milwaukee Career College
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Career College came in at #22 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Career College is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for value graduates is $9,500. Value graduates of Milwaukee Career College earn a median of $30,488 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Milwaukee Career College admits about 73% of applicants.

23

Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo
Portage, MI

Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo earned the #23 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Portage, Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,942. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo generally make around $23,488. Set against $7,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Ross Medical Education Center Canton
Canton, MI

Ross Medical Education Center Canton ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Canton, Ross Medical Education Center Canton is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,942. Value graduates of Ross Medical Education Center Canton earn a median of $23,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,942 median debt.

25

Valley College Cleveland
Cleveland, OH

Valley College Cleveland earned the #25 position for value in value this year. Valley College Cleveland is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Cleveland. Value graduates carry a median of $15,020 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $26,978. That is a strong return on a $15,020 median debt.