2027 Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Business/Managerial Economics](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-managerial-economics/) 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 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for business/managerial economics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business/managerial economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among business/managerial economics schools in the Great Lakes Region. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Business/managerial Economics graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $61,979 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Business/managerial Economics graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $53,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Beloit College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Set in the city of Beloit, Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,886. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Beloit College generally make around $54,111. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The College Of Wooster earned it the #4 place for business/managerial economics. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,640. Students borrow a median of $25,936 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from The College Of Wooster generally make around $32,382. Set against $25,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wheaton College Illinois earned it the #5 place for business/managerial economics. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Business/managerial Economics graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $55,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University came in at #6 for value in business/managerial economics this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford placed #7 among the best values for business/managerial economics. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $60,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Dayton came in at #8 for value in business/managerial economics this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $24,548. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $55,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Depaul University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $21,666 in student loans. Business/managerial Economics graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $53,682 early in their careers. Set against $21,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Marquette University placed #10 among the best values for business/managerial economics. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $53,345. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Xavier University landed the #11 spot for business/managerial economics value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,425 in tuition and fees. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. That is a strong return on a $26,614 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $21,574. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $61,333. Set against $21,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
Narrow Business/Managerial Economics Schools by State
More Business/Managerial Economics Rankings
View All Business/Managerial Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
