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2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

60 Ranked Colleges
3,130 Degrees Awarded
$11,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

General Education is the 31st most popular major in the country with 29,810 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,130 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 60 colleges that offered a degree in general education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 258 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.

Purdue also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,853 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Purdue General Education Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 233 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,036 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Education at UIUC

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 124 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $5,670 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

4

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #4 spot on the list. IU Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Education at IU Bloomington

5

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 281 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $8,581 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Ohio State University - Main Campus

6
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Beloit is located in Beloit, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Beloit also took the #18 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,873 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Beloit College.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Education at Beloit College

7

With a ranking of #7, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grand Valley State University is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 239 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $11,026 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Grand Valley State University

8
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ivy Tech Community College is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 206 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,820 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ivy Tech Community College.

Full Ivy Tech Community College General Education Report

9

University of Michigan - Dearborn came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dearborn, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn is $10,465 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at University of Michigan - Dearborn

10
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 186 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,170 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on General Education at Michigan State University

11

University of Wisconsin - Stout came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 89 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.

UW - Stout not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,958 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Stout.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at UW - Stout

12
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, Ohio

Stark State College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Stark State College is located in North Canton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Stark State College is $7,437 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Stark State College General Education Report

13

Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Purdue Northwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Hammond, Indiana. It awarded 46 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Purdue Northwest is $8,608 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Purdue University Northwest General Education Report

14
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio

Denison University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Granville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general education degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Denison has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,686 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Denison University.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Denison

15

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 75 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

UW - Green Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Green Bay is $9,445 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Education at UW - Green Bay

16

University of Michigan - Flint ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Flint, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 47 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Flint is $8,952 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Education at University of Michigan - Flint

17

With a ranking of #17, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 148 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.

UWM also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,351 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UWM.

Full University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee General Education Report

18
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 13 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Eastern Michigan, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $13,265 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Education at Eastern Michigan

19

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stevens Point, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $9,052 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UW - Stevens Point General Education Report

20
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. River Forest, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general education degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Concordia University, Chicago has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Chicago is $14,346 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia University, Chicago General Education Report

21
Alverno crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #21, Alverno College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 4 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Alverno is $16,842 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on General Education at Alverno College

22

Miami University - Oxford ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 25 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $16,062 for great lakes region general education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Miami University - Oxford General Education Report

23
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

With a ranking of #23, Valparaiso University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Valpo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Valparaiso University is $19,717 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Valpo

24

University of Wisconsin - Platteville ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Platteville is a medium-sized school located in Platteville, Wisconsin that handed out 33 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Platteville is $10,334 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University of Wisconsin - Platteville General Education Report

25
Marian crest
Marian University
Indianapolis, Indiana

Marian University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Marian is a private not-for-profit institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Marian University is $13,146 for Great Lakes Region General Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Marian University General Education Report

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