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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region

167 Colleges in the United States
$21,437 Avg Student Debt
$51,072 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Accounting Badge [Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 334 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for accounting students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Accounting Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Lewis And Clark Community College the best value for a degree in accounting in the Great Lakes Region. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Accounting graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $42,502 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,931 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $44,532. Set against $15,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.

4

A rank of #4 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for accounting. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $7,769. Early-career accounting graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.

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Henry Ford Community College earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $18,876. Accounting graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.

7

Lorain County Community College placed #7 among the best values for accounting. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.

8
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #8 spot for accounting value this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $31,747. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College placed #9 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Accounting graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $33,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #10 among the best values for accounting. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Students borrow a median of $11,499 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $44,198. That is a strong return on a $11,499 median debt.

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College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage placed #11 among the best values for accounting. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,284. Accounting graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $50,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College earned the #12 position for value in accounting this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $40,424. That is a strong return on a $21,496 median debt.

13

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Accounting graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Macomb Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $9,862. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Schoolcraft College came in at #15 for value in accounting this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Sinclair Community College earned the #16 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
Kellogg Community College crest
Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI

Kellogg Community College came in at #17 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,432. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.

18

Elgin Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College placed #19 among the best values for accounting. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.

20

Lansing Community College landed the #20 spot for accounting value this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $16,700. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Accounting graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.

22

Highland Community College Freeport earned the #22 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,936, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Accounting graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College placed #23 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $10,813. Early-career accounting graduates make about $29,756. That is a strong return on a $10,813 median debt.

24

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #24 spot for accounting value this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $18,516. Accounting graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $35,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Mott Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $13,746. Accounting graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. Set against $13,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Accounting Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s accounting value ranking:

26
27
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
28
29
30
31
32
33
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL
34
35
36
37
38
39
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Belmont College
St Clairsville, OH
40
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Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 334 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 167 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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