2026 Best Value Labor & Industrial Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Leading the list is Wayne State University, our #1 best value for labor & industrial relations in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $24,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $48,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for strong value in labor & industrial relations will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $20,778. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $89,637. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

3

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Students looking for strong value in labor & industrial relations will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $54,679. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

4

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan State University earned it the #4 place for labor & industrial relations. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,475 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $78,014. That is a strong return on a $23,475 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

5

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $38,832 in student loans. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. That is a strong return on a $38,832 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

6

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago came in at #6 for value in labor & industrial relations this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.