2026 Best Value Management Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Management Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/management-science-quantitative-methods/management-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 80 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for management science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Management Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the management science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Management Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Purdue University Main Campus the best value for a degree in management science in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,284 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $70,903 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,284 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in management science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Management Science graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #3 place for management science. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Management Science graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $68,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in management science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $21,600 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $51,128 early in their careers. Set against $21,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Governors State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Management Science graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $51,711. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. 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. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $61,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University landed the #7 spot for management science value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $25,972. Early-career management science graduates make about $69,446. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University placed #8 among the best values for management science. 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 $25,582 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #9 for value in management science this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $72,316 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $83,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. 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, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $16,654 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $67,350. That is a strong return on a $16,654 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #13 position for value in management science this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $28,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. Set against $28,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #14 for value in management science this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $42,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for management science. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in management science this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $68,814. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Management Science graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Management Science graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $190,915 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University earned the #18 position for value in management science this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $46,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
National Louis University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value management science 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. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $26,094. Management Science graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $59,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #20 among the best values for management science. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $42,711. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University landed the #21 spot for management science value this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Management Science graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Management Science graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #22 among the best values for management science. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $47,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,200. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $26,699. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $52,298. Set against $26,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Quincy University came in at #25 for value in management science this year. Set in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,140. Students borrow a median of $26,074 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $46,414. Set against $26,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Management Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s management science value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
