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2023 Best Value Colleges for Electrical Engineering in the Great Lakes Region

48 Ranked Colleges
4,524 Degrees Awarded
$16,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Electrical Engineering is the 39th most popular major in the country with 28,844 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, electrical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $74,380 and had an average of $24,114 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 4,524 electrical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,426 and $25,409 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 48 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in electrical engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great electrical engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the electrical engineering program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Electrical Engineering in the Great Lakes Region

1

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 63 degrees to qualified ’s EE students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,462 for Great Lakes Region EE students per year to attend SIUE.

Full SIUE Electrical Engineering Report

2
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 366 degrees to qualified ’s EE students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University - Main Campus is $13,377 for great lakes region ee students.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at Purdue

3

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Platteville landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Platteville is a medium-sized school located in Platteville, Wisconsin that handed out 62 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Platteville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,565 for Great Lakes Region EE students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Platteville.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at UW - Platteville

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Akron Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 43 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,945 for Great Lakes Region EE students per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 85 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northern Illinois University is $13,956 for great lakes region ee students.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at Northern Illinois University

6

Purdue University Northwest ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University Northwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Hammond, Indiana. It awarded 59 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Purdue Northwest is $11,384 for Great Lakes Region EE students.

Full Purdue University Northwest Electrical Engineering Report

7

Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Athens, Ohio, this large public school awarded 57 diplomas to qualified ’s EE students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OHIO Athens, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio University - Athens Campus is $23,831 for great lakes region ee students.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at OHIO Athens

8

Youngstown State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and it awarded 35 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,225 for great lakes region ee students per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at Youngstown State University

9

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 241 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also took the #6 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,234 for great lakes region ee students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

10
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 53 degrees to qualified ’s EE students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,371 for Great Lakes Region EE students per year to attend WMU.

Full Western Michigan University Electrical Engineering Report

11
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Oakland is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 146 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakland also made our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $13,449 for Great Lakes Region EE students per year to attend Oakland.

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%.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at Oakland University

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 192 diplomas to qualified ’s EE students in 2020-2021.

UM Dearborn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $12,855 for great lakes region ee students per year to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UM Dearborn Electrical Engineering Report

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s EE degrees to 177 students in 2020-2021.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $22,415 for Great Lakes Region EE students per year to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus.

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 more about Electrical Engineering at UC

14

Grand Valley State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. GVSU is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 35 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $17,356 for great lakes region ee students.

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 GVSU

15
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Central Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 22 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan University is $16,007 for Great Lakes Region EE students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan Electrical Engineering Report

16

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s EE degrees to 463 students in 2020-2021.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,321 for great lakes region ee students per year to attend UIUC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, 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 94%.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

17

University of Toledo landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Toledo, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s EE degrees to 77 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Toledo is $17,312 for Great Lakes Region EE students.

Full University of Toledo Electrical Engineering Report

18

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s EE degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $16,285 for Great Lakes Region EE students.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at SIUC

19

Wright State University - Main Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Wright State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 81 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wright State University - Main Campus is $15,962 for Great Lakes Region EE students.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at Wright State University - Main Campus

20

University of Dayton came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 100 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

UDayton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Dayton is $29,928 for Great Lakes Region EE students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Dayton Electrical Engineering Report

21

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 162 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,214 for Great Lakes Region EE students.

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

22

With a ranking of #22, Cleveland State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 62 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State University is $16,943 for Great Lakes Region EE students.

Full Cleveland State University Electrical Engineering Report

23

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #23. This large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 50 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $17,486 for Great Lakes Region EE students.

Full University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Electrical Engineering Report

24

Michigan Technological University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Michigan Tech is a medium-sized public school situated in Houghton, Michigan. It awarded 152 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan Tech, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan Technological University is $15,384 for great lakes region ee students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at Michigan Technological University

25

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value EE Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #25. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 96 ’s EE degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,416 for Great Lakes Region EE students per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

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