2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/human-centered-technology-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign tops our 2027 list of the best value value schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Value graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $113,503. That is a strong return on a $19,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Value graduates carry a median of $12,226 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $38,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $63,535 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Franklin University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,577. Students borrow a median of $39,352 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $63,310 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,203. Early-career value graduates make about $80,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,701. Value graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $68,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,701 median debt. Roughly 82% 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
