2027 Best Value Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 184 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for accounting students.
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2027 Best Value Accounting Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Accounting Schools
Macomb Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #2 place for accounting. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $42,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $7,769. Accounting graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,931 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $44,532 early in their careers. Set against $15,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Schoolcraft College landed the #7 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #8 for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #9 spot for accounting value this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $18,876. Accounting graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #10 spot for accounting value this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $11,499 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College came in at #11 for value in accounting this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Accounting graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Delta College came in at #12 for value in accounting this year. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Accounting graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $37,342. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College landed the #13 spot for accounting value this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Accounting graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Richland Community College landed the #14 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $18,516 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $35,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College landed the #16 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Kellogg Community College earned the #17 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College landed the #18 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,496. Early-career accounting graduates make about $40,424. Set against $21,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College landed the #19 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $12,525. Accounting graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College came in at #20 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Accounting graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
North Central State College placed #21 among the best values for accounting. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $47,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage earned the #22 position for value in accounting this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,284 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $50,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College earned the #23 position for value in accounting this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $19,455. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $38,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport placed #24 among the best values for accounting. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Accounting graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,384. That is a strong return on a $13,783 median debt.
Mott Community College earned the #25 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $13,746. Accounting graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. Set against $13,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Accounting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in accounting:
Narrow Accounting Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 184 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 184 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.
