2023 Best Value Colleges for General Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
25
Ranked Colleges
1,414
Degrees Awarded
$10,800
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
General Engineering is the 96th most popular major in the country with 9,018 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,414 general engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 25 colleges that offer a degree in general engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank General Engineering Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.
UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $3,981 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Engineering at University of Wisconsin - Madison
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 6 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $245 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Engineering at Northwestern University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 96 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Purdue has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $5,995 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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%.
Full Purdue General Engineering Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 14 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIUC.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Engineering at UIUC
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 103 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $6,927 for great lakes region engineering 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 General Engineering at Michigan State University
Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.
Ohio State also made our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $7,068 for great lakes region engineering 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read more about General Engineering at Ohio State University - Main Campus
With a ranking of #7, University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Platteville is located in Platteville, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Platteville has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Platteville is $8,887 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Engineering at UW - Platteville
Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. PFW is a medium-sized school located in Fort Wayne, Indiana that handed out 25 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
PFW also made our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University Fort Wayne is $7,414 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full PFW General Engineering Report
Grand Valley State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.
GVSU also made our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $10,259 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Grand Valley State University General Engineering Report
University of Southern Indiana came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Southern Indiana is a medium-sized school located in Evansville, Indiana that handed out 28 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USI, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USI is $7,815 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Engineering at USI
Case Western Reserve University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Case Western is located in Cleveland, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.
Case Western also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Case Western Reserve University is $16,063 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about General Engineering at Case Western Reserve University
Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Youngstown State University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $9,175 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Youngstown State University General Engineering Report
With a ranking of #13, Purdue University Northwest did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Hammond, Indiana, this medium-sized public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue Northwest, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University Northwest is $6,775 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Purdue University Northwest General Engineering Report
With a ranking of #14, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 88 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UWM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $11,973 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full UWM General Engineering Report
University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 9 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $10,549 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Illinois at Chicago General Engineering Report
With a ranking of #16, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 12 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $13,956 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 General Engineering at Miami University - Oxford
Wright State University - Main Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 12 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Wright State University - Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wright State University - Main Campus is $11,980 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about General Engineering at Wright State University - Main Campus
University of Akron Main Campus landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Akron, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Akron Main Campus, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Akron Main Campus is $14,420 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus
Hope College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hope is a private not-for-profit institution located in Holland, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Hope did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $17,553 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hope.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Engineering at Hope College
Milwaukee School of Engineering landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
MSOE also made our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $19,593 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MSOE.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.
Read more about General Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering
With a ranking of #21, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 9 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Central Michigan also took the #23 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $10,805 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Engineering at Central Michigan University
With a ranking of #22, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, SIUC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,665 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale General Engineering Report
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Olivet Nazarene University is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.
Olivet Nazarene did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene is $16,451 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Olivet Nazarene General Engineering Report
Calvin University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Calvin University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 85 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Calvin also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $22,080 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Calvin University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Engineering at Calvin
With a ranking of #25, Cleveland State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 8 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cleveland State University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State University is $13,272 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Engineering at Cleveland State University
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