2026 Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

2

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Springfield one of the best values for applied mathematics. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $24,925. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $53,344. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, landing the #3 spot this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for applied mathematics. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $20,778. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

6

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $25,347. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago earned the #7 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

8

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in applied mathematics this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $14,929 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $78,456. That is a strong return on a $14,929 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

9

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $67,159. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.

10

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot for applied mathematics value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.

11

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent placed #11 among the best values for applied mathematics. 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, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #12 for value in applied mathematics this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $69,396 early in their careers. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

13

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $94,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

14

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame earned the #14 position for value in applied mathematics this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $19,891. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,494. That is a strong return on a $19,891 median debt. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.

15

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #15 among the best values for applied mathematics. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $81,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

16

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University came in at #16 for value in applied mathematics this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.