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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools in the Great Lakes Region

19 Colleges in the United States
$23,718 Avg Student Debt
$58,796 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Badge [Health/Medical Prep Programs](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 70 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health/medical prep programs students.

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2026 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health/medical prep programs degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among health/medical prep programs schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. 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 $20,115 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes Clark State Community College one of the best values for health/medical prep programs. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,393, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Students borrow a median of $20,740 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $39,734 early in their careers. Set against $20,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health/medical prep programs schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for health/medical prep programs. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $31,899. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

5
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health/medical prep programs, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #6 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $18,495 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $12,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

7

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $25,000. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $31,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

8
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University earned the #8 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $32,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.

9

Ball State University earned the #9 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $25,732. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $37,638 early in their careers. Set against $25,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

10

Cleveland State University came in at #10 for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,738 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $23,755. That is a strong return on a $20,738 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

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Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University placed #11 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

12

Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #12 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $21,211. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $42,188. Set against $21,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

13
Aquinas College Michigan crest
Aquinas College Michigan
Grand Rapids, MI

Aquinas College Michigan placed #13 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,218 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $25,925. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $40,708 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

14
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #14 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $33,018 early in their careers. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

15
Manchester College crest
Manchester College
North Manchester, IN

Manchester College landed the #15 spot for health/medical prep programs value this year. Located in the town of North Manchester, Manchester College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,135. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Manchester College earn a median of $52,464 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

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Kent State University At Kent earned the #16 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $27,000. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $41,924 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

17
Cornerstone University crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University landed the #17 spot for health/medical prep programs value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $44,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.

18

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #18 spot for health/medical prep programs value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

19

The University Of Findlay earned the #19 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Located in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,164 in tuition and fees. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $57,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

20

Northwestern University placed #20 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of Notre Dame placed #21 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $18,520. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,494 early in their careers. Set against $18,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

22

University Of Dayton placed #22 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $24,794. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $20,263 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

23

Loyola University Chicago landed the #23 spot for health/medical prep programs value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

24

Case Western Reserve University landed the #24 spot for health/medical prep programs value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 70 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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