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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Mathematics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

38 Colleges in the United States
$23,202 Avg Student Debt
$60,339 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Mathematics Badge [General Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/general-mathematics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 208 schools to find the best return on investment for general mathematics students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Mathematics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general mathematics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Mathematics Schools

1

Western Illinois University tops our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

2

Youngstown State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $26,373. General Mathematics graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for general mathematics. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

4
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for general mathematics. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $18,820. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $49,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #5 place for general mathematics. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $20,115. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

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Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #6 spot for general mathematics value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #7 spot for general mathematics value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,589 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $80,676. Set against $21,589 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #8 for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $47,577. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

9

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $23,917. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

10

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #10 among the best values for general mathematics. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $43,893 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

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Indiana University East earned the #11 position for value in general mathematics this year. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $22,388 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $58,764 early in their careers. Set against $22,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.

12

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #12 position for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $20,847. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $48,728 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,847 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

13
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.

14

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #14 position for value in general mathematics this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,868 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $45,397. That is a strong return on a $23,868 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

15

University Of Southern Indiana came in at #15 for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $21,999. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

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Northern Illinois University placed #16 among the best values for general mathematics. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,044 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $44,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #17 for value in general mathematics this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

18

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #18 position for value in general mathematics this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $59,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

19
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University landed the #19 spot for general mathematics value this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $53,952. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.

20

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #20 among the best values for general mathematics. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,642 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $46,041. That is a strong return on a $23,642 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

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University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #21 position for value in general mathematics this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $67,744. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #22 spot for general mathematics value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #23 position for value in general mathematics this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $22,248. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $50,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

24

Ball State University landed the #24 spot for general mathematics value this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $24,518. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

25
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #25 among the best values for general mathematics. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Mathematics Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general mathematics:

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27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
36
37
Aquinas College Michigan crest
Aquinas College Michigan
Grand Rapids, MI
38
39
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
40
41
42
43
44
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI
45
46
47
48
49
50
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

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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 · 208 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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