2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/communication-management-and-strategic-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
For return on investment in value, no school beat University Of Wisconsin Whitewater this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $45,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. 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 value graduates is $22,574. Early-career value graduates make about $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Marietta College one of the best values for value. Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marietta. In-state tuition and fees average $39,652. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Early-career value graduates make about $79,641. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Marietta College admits about 79% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,546. Value graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Value graduates carry a median of $22,519 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $45,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,000. Value graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $50,700 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Marquette University placed #7 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $40,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
