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DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 43.04), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Cybercrime (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Cybercrime (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Cybersecurity Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Cybersecurity Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA - Cybersecurity (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA - Cybersecurity (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Ethical Hacking Dual Certification Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Ethical Hacking Dual Certification Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "CCSP Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "CCSP Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "CISSP Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "CISSP Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "AS in Cybersecurity" with relevance 0.9
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DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Cybersecurity" with relevance 0.9
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DEBUG: Checking offer "CCNA & CyberOps Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "CISM Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "CompTIA CySA+ Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Criminal Justice - Cybercrime" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Homeland Security (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Emergency Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Emergency Management (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 17
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 12 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 12
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Washtenaw Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,616. Value graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Value graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Value graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Washington State Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $45,305. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.
Ohio University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Narrow Value Schools by State
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
