2027 Best Value Management Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Management Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/management-science-quantitative-methods/management-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for management science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Management Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in management science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Management Science Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among management science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $19,137. Early-career management science graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Oakland University one of the best values for management science. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management 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.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for management science. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $68,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in management science will find it at University Of Chicago, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Management Science graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $190,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,091 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #6 for value in management science this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $25,500. Early-career management science graduates make about $61,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for management science. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $18,284 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $70,903. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #8 among the best values for management science. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $72,316. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for value in management science this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $21,600 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $51,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University came in at #10 for value in management science this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $24,990. Management Science graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $51,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
National Louis University came in at #11 for value in management science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $26,094. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $59,084. That is a strong return on a $26,094 median debt. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Ball State University placed #12 among the best values for management science. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $16,654. Early-career management science graduates make about $67,350. Set against $16,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #13 position for value in management science this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $42,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Management Science graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis placed #15 among the best values for management science. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $45,735. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. 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, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $83,260. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $27,981. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #18 position for value in management science this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Management Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Management Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $42,711 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in management science this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $68,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University earned the #20 position for value in management science this year. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $52,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $49,077. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #22 among the best values for management science. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $26,774. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University earned the #23 position for value in management science this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $46,886 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University earned the #24 position for value in management science this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $24,838. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Toledo placed #25 among the best values for management science. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Management Science graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Management Science graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Management Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for management science this year:
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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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
