2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Our analysis ranked Youngstown State University the best value for a degree in value in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,373. Early-career value graduates make about $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

2

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned it the #2 place for value. 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. Value graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

3

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Flint earned it the #3 place for value. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for value graduates is $31,016. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $51,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #4 place for value. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

6

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global placed #6 among the best values for value. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Value graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Value graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,278 early in their careers. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in value this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

8

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,347. Early-career value graduates make about $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

9

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #9 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

10

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,854. Value graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

11

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $48,966. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

12

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent placed #12 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

14

Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI

Davenport University placed #14 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Grand Rapids, Davenport University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,466 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $30,603. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Davenport University generally make around $55,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

15

Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus
Angola, IN

Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus landed the #15 spot for value value this year. Located in the town of Angola, Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,176 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $24,787 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus generally make around $47,735. That is a strong return on a $24,787 median debt. Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus admits about 40% of applicants.

16

Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,577. Value graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. Value graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $57,471 early in their careers. Set against $35,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #17 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $55,226. Set against $25,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

18

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University landed the #18 spot for value value this year. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,560. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,351. Value graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,351 median debt. Butler University admits about 85% of applicants.