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2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

117 Ranked Colleges
9,201 Degrees Awarded
$15,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 51,779 people earned their degree in finance, making the major the 11th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 9,201 finance graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 117 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in finance. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality finance programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the finance program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region finance students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Finance in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s finance degrees to 351 students in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $17,234 for great lakes region finance students with aid per year to attend UW - Madison.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Finance at UW - Madison

2
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 117 schools in the Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. Purdue University - Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 227 ’s finance degrees to qualified students.

Purdue also took the #7 spot in our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $13,377 for Great Lakes Region Finance students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Purdue Finance Report

3

Out of the 117 schools in the Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 287 ’s finance degrees to qualified students.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $14,321 for Great Lakes Region Finance students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Finance at UIUC

4

Out of the 117 schools in the Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Madison Area Technical College landed the #4 spot on the list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s finance degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

Madison College also made our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $10,053 for great lakes region finance students with aid per year to attend Madison Area Technical College.

Read more about Finance at Madison College

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 343 degrees to qualified ’s finance students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $19,058 for Great Lakes Region Finance students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full Michigan State University Finance Report

6
Western Technical College crest
Western Technical College
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Western Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s finance degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,279 for Great Lakes Region Finance students with aid per year to attend Western Technical College.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Finance at Western Technical College

7

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 261 degrees to qualified ’s finance students in 2020-2021.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,214 for great lakes region finance students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Finance at University of Illinois at Chicago

8

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 767 diplomas to qualified ’s finance students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $16,845 for Great Lakes Region Finance students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Finance at Ohio State University - Main Campus

9

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s finance degrees to 163 students in 2020-2021.

UW - La Crosse also made our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $14,654 for great lakes region finance students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - La Crosse Finance Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UM Dearborn is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 93 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,855 for great lakes region finance students with aid per year to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Finance at UM Dearborn

11

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 186 diplomas to qualified ’s finance students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $14,417 for great lakes region finance students with aid.

Full University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Finance Report

12
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 74 ’s finance degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region finance students with aid list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $23,279 for great lakes region finance students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Finance at Northwestern

13
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 107 diplomas to qualified ’s finance students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $13,449 for great lakes region finance students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Finance at Oakland University

14

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. UW - Eau Claire is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 112 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $16,051 for Great Lakes Region Finance students with aid.

Read full report on Finance at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

15

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 70 ’s finance degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW Oshkosh is $14,687 for Great Lakes Region Finance students with aid.

Read more about Finance at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

16
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 79 ’s finance degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $16,007 for great lakes region finance students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan University Finance Report

17

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. UWM is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 201 ’s finance degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $17,486 for great lakes region finance students with aid per year to attend UWM.

Read full report on Finance at UWM

18
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 78 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $14,765 for great lakes region finance students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ball State Finance Report

19

With a ranking of #19, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s finance degrees to 280 students in 2020-2021.

GVSU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $17,356 for Great Lakes Region Finance students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Grand Valley State University Finance Report

20

Youngstown State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 48 degrees to qualified ’s finance students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,225 for Great Lakes Region Finance students with aid per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Read full report on Finance at Youngstown State University

21

With a ranking of #21, Purdue University Northwest did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Purdue Northwest is a public institution located in Hammond, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Purdue Northwest is $11,384 for great lakes region finance students with aid.

Read more about Finance at Purdue University Northwest

22
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Western Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Kalamazoo, Michigan that handed out 155 ’s finance degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region finance students with aid list, WMU has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Michigan University is $20,371 for great lakes region finance students with aid.

Read full report on Finance at Western Michigan University

23
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s finance degrees to 144 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $13,962 for Great Lakes Region Finance students with aid.

Read more about Finance at Wayne State

24

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a public institution located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,346 for great lakes region finance students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

Full University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Finance Report

25
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 301 ’s finance degrees in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Notre Dame is $31,101 for great lakes region finance students with aid.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Finance at Notre Dame

Notes and References

References

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