2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-systems-networking/cloud-computing/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 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
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $46,398. Set against $16,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Global earned it the #3 place for value. 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $36,778. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $54,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Madison Area Technical College one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,812. Early-career value graduates make about $65,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
