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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
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Great Lakes Region. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $54,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,137. Value graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Michigan University earned it the #4 place for value. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Value graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Narrow Value Schools by State
[Value](/majors/engineering/electrical-and-computer-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
