2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #1 spot for value among electrical engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,853 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $94,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for strong value in electrical engineering will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $94,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for strong value in electrical engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $83,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

4

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,471 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $79,917 early in their careers. Set against $26,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for strong value in electrical engineering will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,667. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $99,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

6

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #6 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,603 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $80,726 early in their careers. Set against $25,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana placed #7 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

8

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #8 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $92,644. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

9

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $74,442. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #10 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,600 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $99,772. Set against $21,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

11

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #11 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $17,550 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $67,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

12

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #12 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,113 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $79,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

13

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University earned the #13 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $74,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

14

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #14 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Students borrow a median of $23,251 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $77,405. Set against $23,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.

15

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University placed #15 among the best values for electrical engineering. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $25,350. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,738. Set against $25,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

16

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University came in at #16 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,091 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $78,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,091 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

17

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University came in at #17 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $79,439 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

18

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $77,622. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $94,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

20

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $22,411. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $91,500. That is a strong return on a $22,411 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

21

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University placed #21 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $81,541 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

22

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $79,582. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

23

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo placed #23 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $80,876. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.

24

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University earned the #24 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $71,457. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

25

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #25 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $68,670. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.