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 Michigan Technological University, our #1 best value for value in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,800. Value graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Ohio University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Value graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $103,961. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lawrence Technological University earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,760. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $74,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lawrence Technological University admits about 56% of applicants.
Narrow Value Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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/general-engineering/applied-engineering/) 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.
