2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Ivy Tech Community College, our #1 best value for value in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Heartland Community College earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,266. Value graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Set against $13,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $20,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $67,764. That is a strong return on a $20,308 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Illinois State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,992. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Narrow Value Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
[Value](/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/energy-systems-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
