2026 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Cincinnati, OH

For return on investment in organizational leadership, no school beat Cincinnati State Technical And Community College this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $16,689 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $45,389. That is a strong return on a $16,689 median debt.

2

Waukesha County Technical College
Pewaukee, WI

Waukesha County Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $18,019 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $44,016. Set against $18,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Students looking for strong value in organizational leadership will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #3. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,591 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $48,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

4

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northcentral Technical College earned it the #4 place for organizational leadership. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $11,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $51,289. That is a strong return on a $11,266 median debt.

5

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

Indiana University Southeast is a great value for students pursuing a degree in organizational leadership, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $23,981. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.

6

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $19,500. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $77,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

7

Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Community College placed #7 among the best values for organizational leadership. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Students borrow a median of $13,925 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,712. Set against $13,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University came in at #8 for value in organizational leadership this year. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $55,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

9

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University earned the #9 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,207 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $58,324 early in their careers. Set against $20,207 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

10

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University earned the #10 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $68,069. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

11

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University landed the #11 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $21,713 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $68,526. That is a strong return on a $21,713 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

12

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana landed the #12 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,602 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

13

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #13 for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Organizational Leadership graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $76,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

14

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #14 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $24,000. Organizational Leadership graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,860 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

15

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Students borrow a median of $22,264 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $48,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

16

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University came in at #16 for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $23,025. Organizational Leadership graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $58,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #17 position for value in organizational leadership this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $80,885 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

18

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global came in at #18 for value in organizational leadership this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $25,797. Organizational Leadership graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $63,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,797 median debt.

19

Wilberforce University
Wilberforce, OH

Wilberforce University placed #19 among the best values for organizational leadership. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Wilberforce University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,448. Students borrow a median of $35,674 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of Wilberforce University earn a median of $31,290 early in their careers. Set against $35,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wilberforce University admits about 40% of applicants.

20

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #20 for value in organizational leadership this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #21 spot for organizational leadership value this year. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $73,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

22

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint landed the #22 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $36,312 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $72,604 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

23

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in organizational leadership this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,073 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $56,818. That is a strong return on a $26,073 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

24

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for organizational leadership. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $81,508 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

25

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership 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. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $28,000. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $65,735. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.