2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Our analysis ranked Ivy Tech Community College the best value for a degree in general education in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $10,874 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $26,848. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. 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. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general education. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $64,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

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. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. 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

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for general education. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

6

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,161 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $54,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,161 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #8 among the best values for general education. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,778. Early-career general education graduates make about $62,620. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $61,073. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

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. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $60,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,016. General Education graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $57,003 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,250. Early-career general education graduates make about $42,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

13

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #13 for value in general education this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

14

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,957 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.

16

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

17

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #17 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,662. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

18

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

19

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in general education this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,836. Early-career general education graduates make about $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. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. General Education graduates carry a median of $30,990 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,867. That is a strong return on a $30,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

21

Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College placed #21 among the best values for general education. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Students from in state pay about $20,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $28,722. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,400. Set against $28,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

22

Bluffton University
Bluffton, OH

Bluffton University placed #22 among the best values for general education. Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bluffton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,362. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $29,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,821. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Bluffton University admits about 67% of applicants.

23

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University placed #23 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $29,364. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

24

Central State University
Wilberforce, OH

Central State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,058, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $31,318 median debt. Central State University admits about 99% of applicants.

25

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $60,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.