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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region

4 Colleges in the United States
$25,931 Avg Student Debt
$60,935 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/human-centered-technology-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.

What’s on this page:

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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

1

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 best value for value in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Value graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $113,503. That is a strong return on a $19,399 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes Kent State University At Kent one of the best values for value. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $63,535 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Franklin University earned it the #3 place for value. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,577. Typical student debt for value graduates is $39,352. Value graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $63,310 early in their careers. Set against $39,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,203 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $80,126. Set against $23,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Value graduates carry a median of $22,701 in student loans. Value graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $68,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,701 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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