2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Value](/majors/engineering-technologies/electromechanical-engineering-technology/mechatronics-robotics-and-automation-engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Macomb Community College the best value for a degree in value in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for value graduates is $9,862. Early-career value graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Schoolcraft College one of the best values for value. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $57,104. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Lorain County Community College one of the best values for value. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Value graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Value graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Value graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Value graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,780. Early-career value graduates make about $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,747, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,715. Value graduates of Blackhawk Technical College earn a median of $44,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeshore Technical College placed #11 among the best values for value. Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Value graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $41,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Value graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Value graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,457. Value graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $47,684 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross landed the #14 spot for value value this year. Western Technical College La Cross is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $60,488. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #15 spot for value value this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,000. Early-career value graduates make about $65,178. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #16 for value in value this year. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $62,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College placed #17 among the best values for value. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,904, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Students borrow a median of $12,112 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Technical College came in at #18 for value in value this year. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $42,410. Set against $14,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Michigan Technological University placed #19 among the best values for value. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.