2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,003. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for general education. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $61,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for general education. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,874 in student loans. General Education graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $26,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at North Central State College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $62,620. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #8 for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #9 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,516. General Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $60,795 early in their careers. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University earned the #10 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $50,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College came in at #11 for value in general education this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $27,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $64,435. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Stark State College placed #14 among the best values for general education. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,957 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #16 among the best values for general education. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Central State University landed the #17 spot for general education value this year. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,058, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. Students borrow a median of $31,318 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Central State University earn a median of $27,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #18 spot for general education value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $30,990 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $43,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,990 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University landed the #19 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $29,364. General Education graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $50,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,364 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #20 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,336. General Education graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $77,366 early in their careers. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $60,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University landed the #22 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,360. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $57,383. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in general education this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #24 position for value in general education this year. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,000. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $51,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
College Of Mount St Joseph landed the #25 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,150. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,273 in student loans. General Education graduates of College Of Mount St Joseph earn a median of $69,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value General Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general education:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
