2026 Best Value Mathematics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

For return on investment in mathematics, no school beat Western Illinois University this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

2

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $26,373. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mathematics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for strong value in mathematics will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. 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 mathematics graduates is $18,820. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $49,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #5 place for mathematics. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

6

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University earned the #6 position for value in mathematics this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,589 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $80,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,589 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

8

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $24,245. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $47,577. That is a strong return on a $24,245 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

9

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #9 among the best values for mathematics. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $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
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $43,893 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

11

Indiana University East
Richmond, IN

Indiana University East came in at #11 for value in mathematics this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $22,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $58,764. 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
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,847 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $48,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

13

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University earned the #13 position for value in mathematics this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

14

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,868 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $45,397 early in their careers. Set against $23,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

16

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University came in at #16 for value in mathematics this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,044 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $44,857 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,044 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #17 spot for mathematics value this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

18

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #18 spot for mathematics value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $59,277. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

19

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University came in at #19 for value in mathematics this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.

20

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #20 for value in mathematics this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $23,642 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $46,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

21

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #21 position for value in mathematics this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $67,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

22

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #22 among the best values for mathematics. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

23

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #23 spot for mathematics value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $22,248. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $50,285. Set against $22,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

24

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #24 for value in mathematics this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.