2027 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 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
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Ivy Tech Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value value schools in the Great Lakes Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Global one of the best values for value. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $54,278. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Rapids Community College earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Value graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. Value graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Value graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Madison Area Technical College, which ranked #5. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $65,324. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $71,315. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
