2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/digital-marketing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked College Of Dupage the best value for a degree in value in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Value graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Macomb Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Value graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Value graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,889. Early-career value graduates make about $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Value graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $34,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #6 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Value graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $42,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,626. Early-career value graduates make about $41,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #9 position for value in value this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,625. Value graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $46,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Value graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $35,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #12 for value in value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $43,479. That is a strong return on a $13,669 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,812. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. That is a strong return on a $16,812 median debt.
Purdue University Global placed #14 among the best values for value. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,278 early in their careers. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,264. Value graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,264 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Value graduates carry a median of $24,477 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $42,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Value graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $69,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $43,722. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Cleveland State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,219. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,648. Set against $24,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Aurora University landed the #21 spot for value value this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,900 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $39,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Wisconsin Lutheran College placed #22 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,110. Students borrow a median of $26,916 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of $54,908 early in their careers. Set against $26,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Adrian College earned the #23 position for value in value this year. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,684. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Adrian College generally make around $44,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Adrian College admits about 72% of applicants.
John Carroll University landed the #24 spot for value value this year. John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,500. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Value graduates of John Carroll University earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
