2027 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Actuarial Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/management-science-quantitative-methods/actuarial-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong actuarial science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for actuarial science students.
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2027 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in actuarial science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Actuarial Science Schools
Oakland University earned the #1 spot for value among actuarial science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $69,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for actuarial science. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $18,284 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $70,903. That is a strong return on a $18,284 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Students looking for strong value in actuarial science will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $72,316. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in actuarial science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,600 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $51,128. That is a strong return on a $21,600 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn is a great value for students pursuing a degree in actuarial science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $25,500. Actuarial Science graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $61,297 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Ball State University landed the #6 spot for actuarial science value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $16,654 to complete the actuarial science program here. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $67,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for value in actuarial science this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $83,260. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $20,500. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $68,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #9 for value in actuarial science this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $24,119. Actuarial Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #11 position for value in actuarial science this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $26,657. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $46,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Carroll University placed #12 among the best values for actuarial science. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $26,904. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $52,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
Central Michigan University landed the #13 spot for actuarial science value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $66,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #14 among the best values for actuarial science. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $83,014. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Illinois College landed the #15 spot for actuarial science value this year. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,676. Students borrow a median of $26,922 to complete the actuarial science program here. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $41,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Otterbein University earned the #16 position for value in actuarial science this year. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,548. Students borrow a median of $25,282 to complete the actuarial science program here. Actuarial Science graduates of Otterbein University earn a median of $45,871 early in their careers. Set against $25,282 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University earned the #17 position for value in actuarial science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the actuarial science program here. Actuarial Science graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $48,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for actuarial science value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis earned the #19 position for value in actuarial science this year. University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,200. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $26,699. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $52,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering came in at #20 for value in actuarial science this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,480. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $72,677. That is a strong return on a $27,667 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College came in at #21 for value in actuarial science this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete the actuarial science program here. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $88,979. That is a strong return on a $22,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Depaul University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $62,702. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Xavier University landed the #23 spot for actuarial science value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $55,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.
Butler University came in at #24 for value in actuarial science this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,560. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Actuarial Science graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Set against $25,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
