2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Kellogg Community College the best value for a degree in value in the Great Lakes Region. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. Value graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Value graduates carry a median of $14,215 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $33,881. Set against $14,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne County Community College District earned it the #3 place for value. Wayne County Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $3,112 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $48,892. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Clair County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Port Huron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,212, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,379 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of St Clair County Community College earn a median of $32,691 early in their careers. Set against $16,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,137. Value graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $52,005 early in their careers. Set against $25,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $9,896 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $37,273. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies generally make around $35,419. Set against $37,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Olivet College placed #8 among the best values for value. Located in the rural area of Olivet, Olivet College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,068. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $48,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Institute Of Technology came in at #9 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,361. Value graduates carry a median of $37,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indiana Institute Of Technology generally make around $35,419. That is a strong return on a $37,273 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Eureka College came in at #10 for value in value this year. Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Eureka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,636. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,475. Early-career value graduates make about $37,886. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago placed #11 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,000. Early-career value graduates make about $42,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
