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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

37 Ranked Colleges
1,408 Degrees Awarded
$20,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Education Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

General Education is the 35th most popular major in the country with 29,936 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,138 and had an average of $29,674 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,216 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,306 and $27,810 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,408 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 37 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The education school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 119 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Read full report on General Education at U-M

#2

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 #2 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 186 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purdue General Education Report

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 169 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree education students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIUC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Read more about General Education at UIUC

#4

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#14 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s 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 a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 2 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #14 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on General Education at IU Bloomington

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s 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. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 216 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus General Education Report

#6

University of Wisconsin - Platteville

Platteville, Wisconsin
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Platteville, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Platteville also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Platteville are $18,226, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at University of Wisconsin - Platteville

#7

University of Wisconsin - Stout

Menomonie, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Stout came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Stout is a medium-sized school located in Menomonie, Wisconsin that handed out 63 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Stout, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Stout are $16,851.

Read more about General Education at UW - Stout

#8

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - Stevens Point is a public institution located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 39 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Stevens Point did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point are $19,178, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at UW - Stevens Point

University of Michigan - Flint came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Flint, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree education students whose families make $30-$48k list, UM Flint has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UM Flint are $18,202.

Read full report on General Education at UM Flint

#10

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Grand Valley State University is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 34 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

GVSU also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Valley State University are $17,448, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at GVSU

#11

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, Indiana

Purdue University Northwest ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hammond, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Purdue Northwest has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Northwest are $11,633.

Full Purdue University Northwest General Education Report

University of Michigan - Dearborn came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Michigan - Dearborn is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 31 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UM Dearborn also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Dearborn are $25,072, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at UM Dearborn

#13

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SXU is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 2 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Xavier University are $15,450.

Full Saint Xavier University General Education Report

#14

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. WIU is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 14 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at WIU

#15

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 16 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Full NIU General Education Report

#16

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Central Michigan

#17

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 39 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Michigan State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Michigan State

#18

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Elmhurst is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Elmhurst University are $32,300.

Read more about General Education at Elmhurst

#19

Aquinas College Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Aquinas College Michigan did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 20 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Aquinas College Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Aquinas College Michigan are $11,184, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Aquinas College Michigan General Education Report

#20

John Carroll University

University Heights, Ohio

John Carroll University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in University Heights, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree education students whose families make $30-$48k list, John Carroll has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at John Carroll are $15,957, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at John Carroll University

#21

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 5 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Chicago also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Concordia University, Chicago

#22

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

Valparaiso University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Valpo is located in Valparaiso, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Valpo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Valpo are $12,220.

Read full report on General Education at Valparaiso University

#23

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. McKendree University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Illinois. It awarded 27 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at McKendree, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at McKendree are $9,324, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at McKendree University

#24

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois

Quincy University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Quincy U is a small school located in Quincy, Illinois that handed out 20 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Quincy U are $12,000, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Education at Quincy U

#25

Muskingum University

New Concord, Ohio

Muskingum University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Muskingum University is a small school located in New Concord, Ohio that handed out 1 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Muskingum, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Muskingum University are $10,260, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at Muskingum University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO.

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