2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/communication-management-and-strategic-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,574. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, value 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%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Bowling Green State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,519. Value graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $42,296 early in their careers. Set against $22,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
A rank of #4 makes Miami University Oxford one of the best values for value. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Value graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $50,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Marquette University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,000. Value graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $40,583 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
