2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among general economics schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,690 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $68,416. Set against $19,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

2

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,711 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $45,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,711 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #3 place for general economics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,002. Early-career general economics graduates make about $37,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

4

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,999. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,228 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $58,921. Set against $21,228 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

6

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. General Economics graduates carry a median of $28,381 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,381 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.

7

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,879. Early-career general economics graduates make about $45,386. That is a strong return on a $25,879 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

8

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #8 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. General Economics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $59,142 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

9

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $54,302. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

11

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University earned the #11 position for value in general economics this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

12

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #12 position for value in general economics this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,681. Early-career general economics graduates make about $50,648. That is a strong return on a $24,681 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

13

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $64,223. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

14

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #14 among the best values for general economics. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,698. General Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Set against $21,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

15

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University earned the #15 position for value in general economics this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $22,054 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $56,782 early in their careers. Set against $22,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

16

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #16 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,000. General Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $53,595 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.

17

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #17 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $13,197. Early-career general economics graduates make about $92,075. Set against $13,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

18

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #19 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,500. General Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $51,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

20

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #20 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $44,327. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

21

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #21 position for value in general economics this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,049 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $37,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.

22

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $53,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

23

Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College placed #23 among the best values for general economics. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,950 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Albion College earn a median of $48,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.

24

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,981. Early-career general economics graduates make about $48,966. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

25

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #25 for value in general economics this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $44,015. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.