2026 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for economics in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,690 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $68,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $19,002 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,767. That is a strong return on a $19,002 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #3 place for economics. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,216. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

4

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. 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. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $18,711. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,443. That is a strong return on a $18,711 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Economics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $59,187 early in their careers. Set against $24,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in economics this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,228 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $58,921. That is a strong return on a $21,228 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

7

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,879. Economics graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $45,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,879 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $28,381 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $49,665 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,381 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

9

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #9 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $59,142. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #10 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,917. Economics graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $54,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

11

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #11 for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Economics graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #12 for value in economics this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,639. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

13

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,000. Early-career economics graduates make about $57,663. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

14

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #14 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $20,750. Early-career economics graduates make about $64,223. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

15

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,054. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $56,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

16

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $24,681 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,648. Set against $24,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

17

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #17 for value in economics this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $21,698 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $21,698 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #18 spot for economics value 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. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $53,595. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,197. Early-career economics graduates make about $92,075. Set against $13,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

20

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #20 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $49,045. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #21 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $51,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.

22

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #22 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $44,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

23

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $60,658. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

24

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #24 among the best values for economics. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $25,049 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $37,798. Set against $25,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

25

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University came in at #25 for value in economics this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,000. Economics graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $53,985 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.