2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 239 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general psychology schools.
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2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
Leading the list is Lansing Community College, our #1 best value for general psychology in the Great Lakes Region. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. That is a strong return on a $11,740 median debt.
Sinclair Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,661 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,717. That is a strong return on a $13,661 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Ivy Tech Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,239. General Psychology graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $26,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,239 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $30,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Macomb Community College came in at #6 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $38,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College placed #8 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,999 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $38,019. That is a strong return on a $17,999 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,439 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $34,432 early in their careers. Set against $22,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana University Kokomo earned the #10 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,531. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $32,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $33,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #12 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,375. General Psychology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $29,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Northcentral Technical College placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,709. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Stark State College placed #14 among the best values for general psychology. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Governors State University landed the #15 spot for general psychology value this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $29,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Muskegon Community College earned the #16 position for value in general psychology this year. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Students from in state pay about $7,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,010. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $48,267. Set against $14,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College placed #17 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,465. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,143. Set against $22,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University landed the #19 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,194. General Psychology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $59,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest landed the #20 spot for general psychology value this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,929 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,436. Set against $23,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #21 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,451 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $33,846. Set against $20,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Augustana College Illinois placed #22 among the best values for general psychology. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #23 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,977 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,803. Set against $27,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #24 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $16,157 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Western Illinois University came in at #25 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $30,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general psychology this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 239 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 151 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.
