2026 Best Value Entrepreneurship Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Entrepreneurship](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/entrepreneurial-studies/entrepreneurship/) 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 140 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for entrepreneurship students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Entrepreneurship Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the entrepreneurship degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Entrepreneurship Schools
Our analysis ranked Lorain County Community College the best value for a degree in entrepreneurship in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in entrepreneurship, landing the #2 spot this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Joliet Junior College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value entrepreneurship schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Entrepreneurship graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in entrepreneurship will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,463 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $35,348. Set against $8,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in entrepreneurship will find it at Delta College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $14,075 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #6 position for value in entrepreneurship this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Entrepreneurship graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College came in at #7 for value in entrepreneurship this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Entrepreneurship graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College placed #8 among the best values for entrepreneurship. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $9,041. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College came in at #9 for value in entrepreneurship this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Entrepreneurship graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value entrepreneurship schools. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $18,296. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $38,325. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College earned the #11 position for value in entrepreneurship this year. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $10,168. Entrepreneurship graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson Community College earned the #12 position for value in entrepreneurship this year. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $16,960. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Jackson Community College generally make around $41,322. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #13 among the best values for entrepreneurship. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $44,020. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #14 for value in entrepreneurship this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $14,997. Entrepreneurship graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College placed #15 among the best values for entrepreneurship. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $11,626. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #16 spot for entrepreneurship value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,780 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $41,689. Set against $11,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #17 for value in entrepreneurship this year. 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 entrepreneurship graduates is $16,812. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #18 among the best values for entrepreneurship. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. 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 entrepreneurship graduates is $20,115. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Northcentral Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value entrepreneurship schools. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $11,709. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $37,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value entrepreneurship schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $20,778. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Purdue University Global earned the #21 position for value in entrepreneurship this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Entrepreneurship graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #22 for value in entrepreneurship this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,785 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Entrepreneurship graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,373 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Miami University Hamilton came in at #23 for value in entrepreneurship this year. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Students borrow a median of $23,350 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $44,428. That is a strong return on a $23,350 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #24 position for value in entrepreneurship this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #25 spot for entrepreneurship value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Entrepreneurship Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in entrepreneurship:
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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 · 140 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
