2026 Best Value Neurosciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Neurosciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/neurobiology-and-neurosciences/neurosciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 74 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for neurosciences students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Neurosciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the neurosciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Neurosciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for neurosciences in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $17,562. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $26,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $15,012. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $30,984. Set against $15,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for neurosciences. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $18,268. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $23,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in neurosciences will find it at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $22,945. Neurosciences graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $25,202 early in their careers. Set against $22,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in neurosciences will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Neurosciences graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $21,750. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $31,687. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #7 spot for neurosciences value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University landed the #8 spot for neurosciences value this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $26,236. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $45,546. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Central Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $28,220. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago earned the #10 position for value in neurosciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Neurosciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $37,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in neurosciences this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $22,286. Neurosciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $29,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,286 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Northern Michigan University earned the #14 position for value in neurosciences this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $26,768. Neurosciences graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,768 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #16 spot for neurosciences value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $25,020 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $27,183. That is a strong return on a $25,020 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $33,094. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Carthage College landed the #18 spot for neurosciences value this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,750. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Carthage College generally make around $29,454. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Carthage College admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University earned the #19 position for value in neurosciences this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,948 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $35,334 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,948 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College placed #20 among the best values for neurosciences. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of Hope College earn a median of $39,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,334 median debt. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster came in at #21 for value in neurosciences this year. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,640. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $29,942. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Lake Forest College earned the #22 position for value in neurosciences this year. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,402. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $41,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #23 spot for neurosciences value this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $24,615 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College came in at #24 for value in neurosciences this year. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,832. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $27,307 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $46,668. Set against $27,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.
Saint Marys College landed the #25 spot for neurosciences value this year. Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,230. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Neurosciences graduates of Saint Marys College earn a median of $48,274 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Neurosciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s neurosciences value ranking:
Narrow Neurosciences Schools by State
More Neurosciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
