2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Value graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Harper College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fox Valley Technical College earned it the #4 place for value. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,000. Value graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $35,887 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Wayne County Community College District
Detroit, MI

Wayne County Community College District ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,112, with out-of-state students paying around $4,067. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wayne County Community College District generally make around $48,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Washington State Community College
Marietta, OH

Washington State Community College placed #7 among the best values for value. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,291. Early-career value graduates make about $45,305. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.

8

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $48,975. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #9 among the best values for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

10

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

11

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University placed #11 among the best values for value. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Value graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #12 for value in value this year. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Students borrow a median of $24,780 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $38,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

13

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #13 for value in value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

15

Madonna University
Livonia, MI

Madonna University earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $28,440. Students borrow a median of $26,896 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $56,984. Set against $26,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

16

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

17

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. 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.

18

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #18 among the best values for value. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,213. Early-career value graduates make about $54,166. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

19

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #19 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,530. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

20

Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH

Tiffin University landed the #20 spot for value value this year. Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,790. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $38,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

21

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $51,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.