2026 Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Mathematics & Computer Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/math-computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for mathematics & computer science students.
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2026 Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mathematics & computer science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Springfield the best value for a degree in mathematics & computer science in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. 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 mathematics & computer science program here. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $53,344. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics & computer science will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $19,750. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $44,143 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics & computer science schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $68,137. Set against $24,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for mathematics & computer science. 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, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,350 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $109,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,350 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics & computer science will find it at Grand Valley State University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $50,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #6 position for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $27,981. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #7 for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
