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DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 11.02), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Game Programming & Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Game Programming & Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Game Programming & Development" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Game Programming & Development" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Game Art & Development" with relevance 0.9
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Computer Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Computer Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Computer Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Computer Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Computer Science (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Computer Science (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Software Engineering (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Software Engineering (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Software Engineering Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Software Engineering Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Software Engineering (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Software Engineering (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "AS in Computer Science" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Computer Science - Software Engineering" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Information Technology - Software Application Development" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Information Technology - Database Design" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Game Art & Design (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
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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
Our analysis ranked Lake Land College the best value for a degree in value in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Value graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Value graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for value graduates is $9,862. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,296. Early-career value graduates make about $38,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Wayne County Community College District, which ranked #5. Wayne County Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,112, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $48,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Purdue University Global landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $54,278. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Baker College Of Flint placed #7 among the best values for value. Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. Students from in state pay about $13,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $30,688. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Baker College Of Flint generally make around $46,774. Set against $30,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Miami University Oxford came in at #8 for value in value this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,177. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $49,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Depaul University earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Value graduates carry a median of $25,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,226. That is a strong return on a $25,497 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Narrow Value Schools by State
[Value](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/computer-game-programming/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
