2027 Best Value International Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[International Business](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/international-business/) 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 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international business students.
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2027 Best Value International Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international business, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Business Schools
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #1 spot for value among international business schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. International Business graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international business degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Purdue University Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international business, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the international business program here. International Business graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland State University earned it the #3 place for international business. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for international business graduates is $26,336. Early-career international business graduates make about $49,648. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international business will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the international business program here. International Business graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $66,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire one of the best values for international business. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international business graduates is $22,574. International Business graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #6 for value in international business this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for international business graduates is $26,112. International Business graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $42,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,112 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value international business schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. International Business graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career international business graduates make about $57,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in international business this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for international business graduates is $25,330. Early-career international business graduates make about $31,476. Set against $25,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Illinois State University earned the #9 position for value in international business this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $19,059 to complete the international business program here. International Business graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $52,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Madonna University landed the #10 spot for international business value this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,440. Students borrow a median of $26,896 to complete the international business program here. Soon after graduation, international business degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $56,984. That is a strong return on a $26,896 median debt. Madonna University admits about 63% of applicants.
Calvin College earned the #11 position for value in international business this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. International Business graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans. Early-career international business graduates make about $44,220. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value international business schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. International Business graduates carry a median of $21,942 in student loans. Early-career international business graduates make about $51,599. That is a strong return on a $21,942 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Tiffin University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value international business schools. Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. Students from in state pay about $34,790 in tuition and fees. International Business graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. International Business graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $51,326 early in their careers. Set against $30,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Northwood University Michigan came in at #14 for value in international business this year. Northwood University Michigan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Midland. In-state tuition and fees average $34,400. Students borrow a median of $25,344 to complete the international business program here. Soon after graduation, international business degree recipients from Northwood University Michigan generally make around $50,791. That is a strong return on a $25,344 median debt. Northwood University Michigan admits about 64% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford placed #15 among the best values for international business. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international business graduates is $24,177. Soon after graduation, international business degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $49,700. That is a strong return on a $24,177 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago placed #16 among the best values for international business. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for international business graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, international business degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $55,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
Denison University earned the #17 position for value in international business this year. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Typical student debt for international business graduates is $26,960. Early-career international business graduates make about $53,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
