2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College earned the #1 spot for value among health professions schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $23,163 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $63,107. That is a strong return on a $23,163 median debt.

2

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for health professions. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,048 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $52,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Elgin Community College earned it the #3 place for health professions. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $10,793. Health Professions graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $61,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,793 median debt.

4

Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

Carl Sandburg College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $65,475. That is a strong return on a $9,460 median debt.

5

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

A rank of #5 makes Moraine Valley Community College one of the best values for health professions. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $14,673 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $58,924. Set against $14,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #6 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $13,707. Health Professions graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $52,394 early in their careers. Set against $13,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Danville Area Community College
Danville, IL

Danville Area Community College came in at #7 for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $60,961. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned the #8 position for value in health professions this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $33,326. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #9 position for value in health professions this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $15,798. Health Professions graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $54,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College earned the #10 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $23,013 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $62,653 early in their careers. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College came in at #11 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $67,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.

12

Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI

Lansing Community College came in at #12 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $23,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $61,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Macomb Community College landed the #13 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $10,623. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $60,141. That is a strong return on a $10,623 median debt.

14

Shawnee Community College
Ullin, IL

Shawnee Community College came in at #14 for value in health professions this year. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,162. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $56,530. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.

15

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #15 for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $12,806 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $57,887. That is a strong return on a $12,806 median debt.

16

Schoolcraft College
Livonia, MI

Schoolcraft College landed the #16 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $22,742 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $67,078. Set against $22,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College earned the #17 position for value in health professions this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $15,463. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $58,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County earned the #18 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,993 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $63,447. That is a strong return on a $11,993 median debt.

19

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #19 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,428 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $53,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College earned the #20 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $17,495 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $59,690. Set against $17,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $14,460 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $46,599. Set against $14,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $16,383 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $43,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College landed the #23 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $8,093. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $40,148. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.

24

South Suburban College
South Holland, IL

South Suburban College placed #24 among the best values for health professions. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Students borrow a median of $8,307 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $51,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MI

Muskegon Community College landed the #25 spot for health professions value this year. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $18,765. Early-career health professions graduates make about $61,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.