2026 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Our analysis ranked Purdue University Main Campus the best value for a degree in women's studies in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #2 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, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $14,802 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $33,991 early in their careers. Set against $14,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh one of the best values for women's studies. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

4

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $25,306. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $45,767. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

5

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at Central Michigan University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $27,857. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $50,688. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for value in women's studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $28,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

7

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #7 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $25,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $29,887. That is a strong return on a $25,730 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

8

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #8 spot for women's studies value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $22,574. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

9

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #9 position for value in women's studies this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $49,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

10

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $22,056. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $31,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

11

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

12

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $45,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.

13

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

14

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College placed #14 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,366. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $25,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.