2027 Best Value Epidemiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Epidemiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/epidemiology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for epidemiology students.
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2027 Best Value Epidemiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in epidemiology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Epidemiology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign the best value for a degree in epidemiology in the Great Lakes Region. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the epidemiology program here. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value epidemiology schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,242 to complete the epidemiology program here. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $46,846. That is a strong return on a $15,242 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in epidemiology will find it at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #3. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the epidemiology program here. Epidemiology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in epidemiology will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in epidemiology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the epidemiology program here. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $28,856. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value epidemiology schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $26,500. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $29,318. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #7 spot for epidemiology value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $25,174. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Benedictine University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value epidemiology schools. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,648 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete the epidemiology program here. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $54,212. Set against $25,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value epidemiology schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Epidemiology graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University placed #10 among the best values for epidemiology. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the epidemiology program here. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.