2026 Best Value Medicine Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in medicine in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the medicine program here. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $65,807. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

2

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Students looking for strong value in medicine will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Medicine graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $64,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for medicine. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Medicine graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $70,693. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

4

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Students looking for strong value in medicine will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Medicine graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career medicine graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for medicine. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the medicine program here. Medicine graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

6

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University came in at #6 for value in medicine this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the medicine program here. Medicine graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $63,587 early in their careers. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

7

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in medicine this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the medicine program here. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $64,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.

8

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value medicine schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Medicine graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $66,876. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

9

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #9 spot for medicine value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the medicine program here. Early-career medicine graduates make about $63,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

10

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #10 among the best values for medicine. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete the medicine program here. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $63,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

11

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for medicine. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Medicine graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $64,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo earned the #12 position for value in medicine this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $24,923. Medicine graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $63,975 early in their careers. Set against $24,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #13 for value in medicine this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the medicine program here. Early-career medicine graduates make about $70,564. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

14

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for medicine. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $63,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

15

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #15 among the best values for medicine. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $25,213. Early-career medicine graduates make about $62,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

16

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #16 position for value in medicine this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Medicine graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $61,632. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #17 spot for medicine value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the medicine program here. Early-career medicine graduates make about $65,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

18

Marian University Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

Marian University Indiana came in at #18 for value in medicine this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,664. Students borrow a median of $28,633 to complete the medicine program here. Early-career medicine graduates make about $63,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marian University Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

19

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University placed #19 among the best values for medicine. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $16,616. Medicine graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $70,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.

20

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago came in at #20 for value in medicine this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the medicine program here. Early-career medicine graduates make about $66,669. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.

21

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University landed the #21 spot for medicine value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the medicine program here. Early-career medicine graduates make about $66,273. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.