2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Leading the list is Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, our #1 best value for value in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $66,900. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

2

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $61,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Value graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $59,815. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

4

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Governors State University, which ranked #4. 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. Value graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $51,711. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $62,849. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

6

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global came in at #6 for value in value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for value graduates is $36,778. Early-career value graduates make about $54,735. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #7 for value in value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Value graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $55,254 early in their careers. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

8

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #8 spot for value 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,731. Value graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

9

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $62,493. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $51,703 early in their careers. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

11

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #11 position for value in value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Value graduates carry a median of $27,187 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $44,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,187 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

12

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $65,648 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $50,539. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

14

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #14 spot for value value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $56,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

15

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #15 for value in value this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $32,807 in student loans. Value graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $47,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $47,732. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.

17

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #17 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $46,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

18

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University came in at #18 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Value graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $53,733. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

19

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University placed #19 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $45,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

20

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for value value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,887. Early-career value graduates make about $50,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

21

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,697 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,843. Set against $25,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

22

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University came in at #22 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $28,781. Early-career value graduates make about $60,337. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

23

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo placed #23 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.

24

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.

25

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #25 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.