2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Green Bay, our #1 best value for value in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Students borrow a median of $24,477 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $42,853. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

3

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Value graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

5

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

A rank of #5 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for value. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Value graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Value graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #6 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Value graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #7 among the best values for value. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,551. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $49,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,551 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #8 for value in value this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Value graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

9

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University came in at #9 for value in value this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,378. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

10

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,838. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

11

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo earned the #11 position for value in value this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,923. Value graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

12

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent landed the #12 spot for value value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Value graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $44,776. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,380. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

14

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University placed #14 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

15

John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University placed #15 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,500. Students borrow a median of $26,131 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $44,308. That is a strong return on a $26,131 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

16

Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University earned the #16 position for value in value this year. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. Students from in state pay about $67,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Denison University generally make around $39,797. That is a strong return on a $25,360 median debt. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.

17

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University placed #17 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,106. Value graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.