2026 Best Value Econometrics & Quantitative Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Econometrics & Quantitative Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/econometrics-and-quantitative-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong econometrics & quantitative economics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools to find the best return on investment for econometrics & quantitative economics students.
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2026 Best Value Econometrics & Quantitative Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in econometrics & quantitative economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Econometrics & Quantitative Economics Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among econometrics & quantitative economics schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $19,690. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $68,416 early in their careers. Set against $19,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in econometrics & quantitative economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the econometrics & quantitative economics program here. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $59,187. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #3 place for econometrics & quantitative economics. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,002 to complete the econometrics & quantitative economics program here. Soon after graduation, econometrics & quantitative economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value econometrics & quantitative economics schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $18,711. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $45,443. That is a strong return on a $18,711 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for econometrics & quantitative economics. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates carry a median of $21,228 in student loans. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $58,921 early in their careers. Set against $21,228 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Northern Illinois University placed #6 among the best values for econometrics & quantitative economics. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,879 to complete the econometrics & quantitative economics program here. Soon after graduation, econometrics & quantitative economics degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $45,386. Set against $25,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value econometrics & quantitative economics schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $28,381. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $49,665. Set against $28,381 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #8 position for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the econometrics & quantitative economics program here. Soon after graduation, econometrics & quantitative economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $57,663. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #9 for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $59,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #10 for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Wayne State University placed #11 among the best values for econometrics & quantitative economics. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates carry a median of $24,681 in student loans. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $50,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value econometrics & quantitative economics schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates carry a median of $22,054 in student loans. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $56,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,054 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #13 spot for econometrics & quantitative economics value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $64,223 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value econometrics & quantitative economics schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Soon after graduation, econometrics & quantitative economics degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #15 for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $13,197. Soon after graduation, econometrics & quantitative economics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $92,075. That is a strong return on a $13,197 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #16 position for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the econometrics & quantitative economics program here. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $44,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value econometrics & quantitative economics schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $23,125. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $60,658. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value econometrics & quantitative economics schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates carry a median of $25,049 in student loans. Soon after graduation, econometrics & quantitative economics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $37,798. Set against $25,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo earned the #19 position for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, econometrics & quantitative economics degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College landed the #20 spot for econometrics & quantitative economics value this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $27,000. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of Albion College earn a median of $40,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #21 position for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $27,981. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $48,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Illinois State University earned the #22 position for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the econometrics & quantitative economics program here. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $44,015. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $19,750. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $66,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kalamazoo College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value econometrics & quantitative economics schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the econometrics & quantitative economics program here. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $42,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Michigan State University came in at #25 for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,013 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Econometrics & Quantitative Economics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for econometrics & quantitative economics this year:
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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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
