2026 Best Value Hospitality Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Hospitality Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/hospitality-management/) 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 97 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for hospitality management students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Hospitality Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the hospitality management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Hospitality Management Schools
Leading the list is Cuyahoga Community College District, our #1 best value for hospitality management in the Great Lakes Region. 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. Typical student debt for hospitality management graduates is $14,636. Early-career hospitality management graduates make about $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #2 place for hospitality management. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the hospitality management program here. Early-career hospitality management graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in hospitality management will find it at College Of Dupage, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the hospitality management program here. Early-career hospitality management graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for hospitality management. 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. Hospitality Management graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hospitality management degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $22,960. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value hospitality management schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Hospitality Management graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Hospitality Management graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $27,031 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College landed the #6 spot for hospitality management value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the hospitality management program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #7 among the best values for hospitality management. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for hospitality management graduates is $23,983. Hospitality Management graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $35,247 early in their careers. Set against $23,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Lake Michigan College placed #8 among the best values for hospitality management. Set in the rural area of Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,445, compared with $7,755 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,473 to complete the hospitality management program here. Soon after graduation, hospitality management degree recipients from Lake Michigan College generally make around $50,185. Set against $14,473 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madison Area Technical College earned the #9 position for value in hospitality management this year. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for hospitality management graduates is $16,812. Early-career hospitality management graduates make about $44,279. That is a strong return on a $16,812 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #10 position for value in hospitality management this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for hospitality management graduates is $24,772. Hospitality Management graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $34,013 early in their careers. Set against $24,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in hospitality management this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Hospitality Management graduates carry a median of $19,432 in student loans. Hospitality Management graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $57,310 early in their careers. Set against $19,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University placed #12 among the best values for hospitality management. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for hospitality management graduates is $25,687. Hospitality Management graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $28,245 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,687 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northern Illinois University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value hospitality management schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Hospitality Management graduates carry a median of $25,001 in student loans. Early-career hospitality management graduates make about $32,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University earned the #14 position for value in hospitality management this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the hospitality management program here. Early-career hospitality management graduates make about $33,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Central Michigan University landed the #15 spot for hospitality management value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the hospitality management program here. Soon after graduation, hospitality management degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $37,187. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University placed #16 among the best values for hospitality management. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Hospitality Management graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Early-career hospitality management graduates make about $28,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
National Louis University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value hospitality management schools. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Students borrow a median of $28,491 to complete the hospitality management program here. Early-career hospitality management graduates make about $42,196. Set against $28,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University earned the #18 position for value in hospitality management this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for hospitality management graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, hospitality management degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $35,406. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #19 spot for hospitality management value this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Hospitality Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Hospitality Management graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #20 among the best values for hospitality management. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical student debt for hospitality management graduates is $25,225. Hospitality Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $43,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,225 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in hospitality management this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for hospitality management graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, hospitality management degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $36,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Firelands landed the #22 spot for hospitality management value this year. Bowling Green State University Firelands is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Huron. In-state tuition and fees average $6,131, with out-of-state students paying around $14,119. Hospitality Management graduates carry a median of $19,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hospitality management degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Firelands generally make around $45,610. Set against $19,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #23 position for value in hospitality management this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for hospitality management graduates is $25,112. Soon after graduation, hospitality management degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $31,926. That is a strong return on a $25,112 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Michigan State University came in at #24 for value in hospitality management this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for hospitality management graduates is $22,625. Early-career hospitality management graduates make about $41,069. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Roosevelt University placed #25 among the best values for hospitality management. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,916 to complete the hospitality management program here. Early-career hospitality management graduates make about $35,871. That is a strong return on a $23,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Hospitality Management Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for hospitality management this year:
Narrow Hospitality Management Schools by State
More Hospitality Management Rankings
View All Hospitality Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
