2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 71 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for electrical engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in electrical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Dearborn the best value for a degree in electrical engineering in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $21,853. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $94,217. Set against $21,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in electrical engineering will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $19,000. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $94,316. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $83,287. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in electrical engineering will find it at Purdue University Northwest, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,471 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $79,917. Set against $26,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,603 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $80,726. Set against $25,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #7 spot for electrical engineering value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Oakland University landed the #8 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $92,644. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for value in electrical engineering this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $25,000. Electrical Engineering graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $74,442 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $99,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #11 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,550 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $67,236 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #12 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $25,113. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $79,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University placed #13 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $74,799. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,251 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $77,405. Set against $23,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Wayne State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. 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. Electrical Engineering graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $78,738 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,350 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #16 among the best values for electrical engineering. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,091 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,950. That is a strong return on a $28,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Michigan Technological University earned the #17 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $79,439. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #18 for value in electrical engineering this year. 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. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. 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. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #19 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $94,077. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $22,411. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $91,500. Set against $22,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Cleveland State University landed the #21 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $81,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $79,582 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Toledo came in at #23 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $80,876 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Central Michigan University came in at #24 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $71,457 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #25 among the best values for electrical engineering. 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. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $19,750. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $68,670. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in electrical engineering:
Narrow Electrical Engineering Schools by State
More Electrical Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
