2026 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value area studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #2 spot this year. 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 area studies graduates is $16,984. Early-career area studies graduates make about $32,062. Set against $16,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

3

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Bloomington earned it the #3 place for area studies. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for area studies. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $22,050 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned it the #5 place for area studies. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for value in area studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $20,850 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

7

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #7 position for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $46,561. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

8

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in area studies this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

9

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value area studies schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $38,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

10

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford earned the #10 position for value in area studies this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $20,552. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $50,637. That is a strong return on a $20,552 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame came in at #11 for value in area studies this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $35,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.

12

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College came in at #12 for value in area studies this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,366. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $24,951. Early-career area studies graduates make about $20,905. Set against $24,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 34%.