2026 Best Value Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/pharmacy-pharmaceutical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $91,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ferris State University earned it the #2 place for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $113,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,046 to complete the pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences program here. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $71,787 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,046 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,775 in student loans. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $74,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,775 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences will find it at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $119,267. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Wayne State University placed #6 among the best values for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates is $26,689. Early-career pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates make about $102,554. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Chicago State University landed the #7 spot for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $43,322 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $69,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #8 position for value in pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences 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. Typical student debt for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $94,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Toledo ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences program here. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $72,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences program here. Early-career pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates make about $91,031. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University came in at #11 for value in pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences program here. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Manchester College came in at #12 for value in pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences this year. Manchester College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of North Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $37,135. Typical student debt for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates is $25,833. Soon after graduation, pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences degree recipients from Manchester College generally make around $112,524. That is a strong return on a $25,833 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences 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. Typical student debt for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates is $23,530. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $103,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University came in at #14 for value in pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $97,844. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The University Of Findlay landed the #15 spot for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences value this year. The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Findlay. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,164. Typical student debt for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates is $25,759. Early-career pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates make about $84,147. Set against $25,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Cedarville University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences schools. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences program here. Early-career pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates make about $80,404. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Northern University landed the #17 spot for pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences value this year. Set in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,600. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences graduates make about $75,887. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #18 for value in pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $101,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Butler University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,560. Pharmacy/pharmaceutical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $116,028. Set against $25,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Butler University admits about 85% of applicants.
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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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
