2027 Best Value Entrepreneurship Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Entrepreneurship](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/entrepreneurial-studies/entrepreneurship/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value entrepreneurship schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Entrepreneurship Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the entrepreneurship degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Entrepreneurship Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among entrepreneurship schools in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $11,995. Entrepreneurship graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value entrepreneurship schools. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $17,616. Entrepreneurship graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned it the #3 place for entrepreneurship. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,730 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $17,730 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #4 place for entrepreneurship. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $8,463. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $8,463 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in entrepreneurship will find it at Stark State College, which ranked #5. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
Kaskaskia College landed the #6 spot for entrepreneurship value this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #7 among the best values for entrepreneurship. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Columbus State Community College placed #8 among the best values for entrepreneurship. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #9 position for value in entrepreneurship this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global earned the #10 position for value in entrepreneurship this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $54,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Parkland College came in at #11 for value in entrepreneurship this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $40,409. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value entrepreneurship schools. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $11,780. Entrepreneurship graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. Set against $11,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #13 spot for entrepreneurship value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #14 position for value in entrepreneurship 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $20,115. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #15 spot for entrepreneurship value this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $13,319. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid State Technical College landed the #16 spot for entrepreneurship value this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Students borrow a median of $11,626 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $41,678. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.
Central Ohio Technical College earned the #17 position for value in entrepreneurship this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $8,016. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $16,779. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Central Ohio Technical College generally make around $47,021. Set against $16,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Hamilton landed the #18 spot for entrepreneurship value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $23,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurship degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $45,240. Set against $23,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #19 position for value in entrepreneurship this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #20 position for value in entrepreneurship this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $18,785. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $45,373. Set against $18,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #21 for value in entrepreneurship this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $16,812. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $44,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #22 among the best values for entrepreneurship. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Early-career entrepreneurship graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value entrepreneurship schools. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for entrepreneurship graduates is $22,608. Entrepreneurship graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value entrepreneurship schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the entrepreneurship program here. Entrepreneurship graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #25 spot for entrepreneurship value this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Entrepreneurship graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Entrepreneurship graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Entrepreneurship Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in entrepreneurship:
Narrow Entrepreneurship Schools by State
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
