2026 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Rice Lake, WI

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value finance schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $35,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $55,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Cincinnati, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned it the #3 place for finance. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $17,730 median debt.

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for finance. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,335 in student loans. Finance graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $59,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,335 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

5

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $22,150 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $58,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

6

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Finance graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $54,802. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

7

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Students borrow a median of $26,036 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $58,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #8 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $75,381. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

9

Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI

Madison Area Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $44,279 early in their careers. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,764. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $39,096. Set against $26,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.

11

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University landed the #11 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $21,935 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $44,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,935 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

12

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #12 position for value in finance this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $54,608. Set against $23,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #13 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Students borrow a median of $24,477 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $42,853. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

14

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,944. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $61,804. Set against $23,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

15

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest came in at #15 for value in finance this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,078 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $53,062. That is a strong return on a $23,078 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

16

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University placed #16 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,326 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $46,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

17

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana landed the #17 spot for finance value this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $43,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

18

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University earned the #18 position for value in finance this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $22,805 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $46,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

19

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University landed the #19 spot for finance value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $27,000. Early-career finance graduates make about $47,926. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #20 position for value in finance this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $24,161. Finance graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,161 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #21 position for value in finance this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

22

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University placed #22 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,502 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $48,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #23 for value in finance this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Students borrow a median of $23,677 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $56,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

24

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #24 for value in finance this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,468. Finance graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $51,370 early in their careers. Set against $22,468 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #25 spot for finance value this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,469. Early-career finance graduates make about $55,874. Set against $25,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.