2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/ethnic-cultural-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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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
Henry Ford Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in the Great Lakes Region. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Value graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Value graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $19,448 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $33,366. That is a strong return on a $19,448 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,402 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $32,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #5 place for value. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $45,824 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $55,469. Set against $45,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $68,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for value in value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Value graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #8 among the best values for value. 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,730. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $29,887 early in their careers. Set against $25,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Chicago placed #9 among the best values for value. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,546. Value graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
