2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
60
Ranked Colleges
3,130
Degrees Awarded
$9,500
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
General Education is the 41st most popular major in the country with 29,810 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,719 and had an average of $23,394 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,130 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,937 and $23,962 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 60 colleges that offered a degree in general education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank General Education Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 233 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $4,858 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign General Education Report
Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 124 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $2,670 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at U-M
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Purdue University - Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 258 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
Purdue also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $5,995 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Full Purdue General Education Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 186 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $6,927 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Michigan State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about General Education at Michigan State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 281 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $7,068 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national 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 full report on General Education at Ohio State
Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 2 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,752 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend IU Bloomington.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%. 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 Indiana University - Bloomington
With a ranking of #7, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school handed out 239 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
GVSU also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $10,259 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at Grand Valley State University
Beloit College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Beloit is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Beloit, Wisconsin. It awarded 13 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Beloit not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Beloit is $7,970 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%.
Read full report on General Education at Beloit
University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dearborn, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UM Dearborn is $9,113 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 206 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,213 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ivy Tech Community College.
Read more about General Education at Ivy Tech Community College
Purdue University Northwest came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Hammond, Indiana, and it awarded 46 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Purdue University Northwest is $6,775 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Purdue University Northwest General Education Report
University of Wisconsin - Stout came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Stout is a public institution located in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 89 ’s degrees 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. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stout is $10,074 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at UW - Stout
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UWM is a large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 148 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UWM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $11,973 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
Read full report on General Education at UWM
Miami University - Oxford ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 25 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,956 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Miami University - Oxford General Education Report
University of Michigan - Flint came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Michigan - Flint is located in Flint, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend UM Flint is $7,797 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full University of Michigan - Flint General Education Report
With a ranking of #16, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Green Bay has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,258 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.
Read more about General Education at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Stark State College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in North Canton, Ohio, and it awarded 39 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,937 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stark State College.
Read full report on General Education at Stark State College
Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Concordia University, Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k 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 $15,644 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Concordia University, Chicago
Alverno College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 4 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,790 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Alverno College.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%.
Full Alverno College General Education Report
With a ranking of #20, Valparaiso University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Valparaiso, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Valpo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Valparaiso University is $19,548 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 full report on General Education at Valpo
Eastern Michigan University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ypsilanti, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Eastern Michigan has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan is $12,465 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Eastern Michigan General Education Report
With a ranking of #22, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kent State University at Kent is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 63 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kent State, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,793 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kent State University at Kent.
Read full report on General Education at Kent State University at Kent
University of Wisconsin - Platteville ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Platteville, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - Platteville is $8,887 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full UW - Platteville General Education Report
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a public institution located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stevens Point is $7,903 for great lakes region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Education at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Saginaw Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Saginaw Valley State University is a medium-sized school located in University Center, Michigan that handed out 2 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,424 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saginaw Valley State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Saginaw Valley State University General Education Report
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