2026 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Actuarial Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/management-science-quantitative-methods/actuarial-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value actuarial science schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the actuarial science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Actuarial Science Schools
Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 best value for actuarial science in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $18,284 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $70,903. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for actuarial science. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $72,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $21,600. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $52,308. Set against $21,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in actuarial science will find it at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $62,536. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Oakland University one of the best values for actuarial science. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $25,972. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $69,446. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $83,260. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #7 spot for actuarial science value 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. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $16,654. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $67,350. Set against $16,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #8 for value in actuarial science this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Actuarial Science graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $51,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #9 position for value in actuarial science this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the actuarial science program here. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #10 among the best values for actuarial science. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $26,657. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $46,561. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in actuarial science this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $68,814. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Illinois College earned the #12 position for value in actuarial science this year. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,676. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $41,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Indianapolis ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $26,699. Actuarial Science graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $52,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in actuarial science this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the actuarial science program here. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Michigan State University placed #15 among the best values for actuarial science. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $83,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Roosevelt University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $25,000. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $48,715. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Elmhurst College placed #17 among the best values for actuarial science. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $22,400. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $88,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Valparaiso University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,450. Students borrow a median of $26,724 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $67,129. That is a strong return on a $26,724 median debt. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Bradley University came in at #19 for value in actuarial science this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $26,380. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $54,513. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering came in at #20 for value in actuarial science this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,480. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete the actuarial science program here. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Milwaukee School Of Engineering generally make around $72,677. That is a strong return on a $27,667 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University landed the #21 spot for actuarial science value this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the actuarial science program here. Actuarial Science graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $52,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,904 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $39,832. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $27,307. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $86,919. That is a strong return on a $27,307 median debt. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.
Depaul University earned the #23 position for value in actuarial science this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $62,702. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Xavier University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,425. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $26,614. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Set against $26,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.
Butler University came in at #25 for value in actuarial science this year. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,560. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $25,351. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. That is a strong return on a $25,351 median debt. Butler University admits about 85% of applicants.
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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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
