2027 Best Value Business Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Business Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/business-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for business education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Business Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business Education Schools
Ferris State University earned the #1 spot for value among business education schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,076 to complete the business education program here. Early-career business education graduates make about $54,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned it the #2 place for business education. 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. Business Education graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Business Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $63,267 early in their careers. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ball State University earned it the #3 place for business education. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $24,998. Business Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $49,745 early in their careers. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #4 place for business education. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Business Education graduates carry a median of $26,751 in student loans. Early-career business education graduates make about $49,025. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the business education program here. Early-career business education graduates make about $48,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for business education. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Business Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career business education graduates make about $46,732. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Christian College came in at #7 for value in business education this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,605 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the business education program here. Early-career business education graduates make about $48,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.
Illinois State University earned the #8 position for value in business education this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $24,149. Early-career business education graduates make about $50,102. That is a strong return on a $24,149 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #9 spot for business education value this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $21,211. Business Education graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $42,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,211 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Viterbo University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value business education schools. Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Crosse. Students from in state pay about $34,250 in tuition and fees. Business Education graduates carry a median of $29,107 in student loans. Early-career business education graduates make about $57,374. Set against $29,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #11 position for value in business education this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the business education program here. Early-career business education graduates make about $49,688. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Business Education Schools by State
More Business Education Rankings
View All Business Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
