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2023 Best Value Colleges for Electrical Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

48 Ranked Colleges
4,485 Degrees Awarded
$8,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 28,166 people earned their degree in electrical engineering, making the major the 30th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 4,485 electrical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 48 colleges that offered a degree in electrical engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality electrical engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the electrical engineering program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Electrical Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 76 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also made our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $245 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full Northwestern Electrical Engineering Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 142 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $2,670 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend U-M.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at U-M

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 227 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $3,981 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at University of Wisconsin - Madison

4
Purdue crest
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 #4 for the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 366 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue also took the #3 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $5,995 for Great Lakes Region EE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at Purdue

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 463 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region EE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Electrical Engineering Report

6
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 151 diplomas to qualified ’s EE students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $6,927 for Great Lakes Region EE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at Michigan State

7

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 332 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus is $7,068 for Great Lakes Region EE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at Ohio State

8

Michigan Technological University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Michigan Technological University is a public institution located in Houghton, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 152 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan Tech also took the #10 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan Tech is $5,520 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at Michigan Tech

9
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 60 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame also took the #4 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Notre Dame is $9,872 for Great Lakes Region EE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Notre Dame Electrical Engineering Report

10

University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well in the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 192 diplomas to qualified ’s EE students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k list, UM Dearborn has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UM Dearborn is $9,113 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Dearborn Electrical Engineering Report

11
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Oakland University is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 146 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakland, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $8,949 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakland Electrical Engineering Report

12

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 96 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $7,026 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 63 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $8,047 for Great Lakes Region EE students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Electrical Engineering Report

14

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 162 ’s EE degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $10,549 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at UIC

15

Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Purdue Northwest is located in Hammond, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s EE degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,775 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue Northwest.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at Purdue University Northwest

16

With a ranking of #16, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 80 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k list, Case Western has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Case Western is $16,063 for Great Lakes Region EE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at Case Western

17

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 177 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $15,061 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

18
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 114 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $11,060 for Great Lakes Region EE students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at Wayne State University

19

University of Wisconsin - Platteville ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Platteville is a medium-sized public school situated in Platteville, Wisconsin. It awarded 62 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Platteville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Platteville is $8,887 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at University of Wisconsin - Platteville

20

Miami University - Oxford did quite well in the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Miami University - Oxford is a public institution located in Oxford, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,956 for Great Lakes Region EE students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at Miami University - Oxford

21
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s EE degrees to 53 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,112 for Great Lakes Region EE students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Michigan University.

Full WMU Electrical Engineering Report

22

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s EE degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $10,259 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at Grand Valley State University

23

Youngstown State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large school located in Youngstown, Ohio that handed out 35 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $9,175 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Youngstown State University Electrical Engineering Report

24
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, this medium-sized public school awarded 15 degrees to qualified ’s EE students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for PFW is $7,414 for Great Lakes Region EE students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at PFW

25

With a ranking of #25, University of Southern Indiana did quite well on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USI is located in Evansville, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s EE degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $7,815 for great lakes region ee students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Southern Indiana.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at USI

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