2026 Best Value Taxation Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Taxation](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/taxation/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value taxation schools.
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2026 Best Value Taxation Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the taxation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Taxation Schools
Stark State College tops our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $17,349. Taxation graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in taxation, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the taxation program here. Taxation graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $72,916 early in their careers. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in taxation, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $23,530. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Depaul University one of the best values for taxation. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Taxation graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $102,309. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.