2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

For return on investment in general education, no school beat Ivy Tech Community College this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,874. General Education graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $26,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,874 median debt.

2

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $27,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,500. General Education graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $64,435 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

4

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,306. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,209. General Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $50,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

6

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

7

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #7 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $54,168. Set against $24,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. 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. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $62,620. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #9 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $61,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,795. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,016. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,003. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,250. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $42,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

13

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

14

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,957. Early-career general education graduates make about $42,724. Set against $15,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Washington State Community College
Marietta, OH

Washington State Community College came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $45,305. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.

16

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest landed the #16 spot for general education value this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

17

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #17 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $51,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

18

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

19

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for general education. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

20

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $30,990. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $43,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,990 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

21

Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $28,722. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Trinity Christian College generally make around $48,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

22

Bluffton University
Bluffton, OH

Bluffton University placed #22 among the best values for general education. Set in the rural area of Bluffton, Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,362. General Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. General Education graduates of Bluffton University earn a median of $41,821 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.

23

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $29,364. General Education graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $50,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

24

Central State University
Wilberforce, OH

Central State University earned the #24 position for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,058, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,318. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Central State University generally make around $27,388. Set against $31,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

25

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.