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