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2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Value](/majors/engineering/energy-systems-engineering/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 2 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

$18,848 In-State Tuition & Fees

$19,137 Avg Student Debt

$83,648 Median Earnings (10yr)

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value value schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

2

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

$49,140 In-State Tuition & Fees

$25,033 Avg Student Debt

$75,537 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes University Of Dayton one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $56,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

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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 · 2 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.