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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

25 Ranked Colleges
1,414 Degrees Awarded
$12,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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.

This year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered 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.

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 general engineering program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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 Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

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 $30-$48k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also made our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $4,788 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on General Engineering at UW - Madison

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 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 University is $917 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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. 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%.

Read more about General Engineering at Northwestern

3
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 96 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Purdue is $5,853 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus General Engineering Report

4

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #4 spot on the list. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $8,036 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

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.

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

5

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 26 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ohio State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $8,581 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Ohio State General Engineering Report

6
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. PFW is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It awarded 25 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, PFW has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,427 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Read full report on General Engineering at PFW

7

University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. University of Wisconsin - 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.

UW - Platteville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Platteville is $10,334 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Engineering at UW - Platteville

8

With a ranking of #8, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. GVSU is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,026 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend GVSU.

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

9
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan State is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 103 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also took the #6 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $15,170 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Michigan State University General Engineering Report

10

Youngstown State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and it awarded 7 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Youngstown State University also took the #21 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $9,972 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Engineering at Youngstown State University

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Southern Indiana did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Evansville, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

USI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern Indiana is $10,440 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on General Engineering at University of Southern Indiana

12

With a ranking of #12, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Case Western is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 13 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, Case Western has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,570 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Case Western Reserve University.

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.

Full Case Western Reserve University General Engineering Report

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

UIC also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,351 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIC.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Read full report on General Engineering at University of Illinois at Chicago

14

With a ranking of #14, Purdue University Northwest did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Purdue Northwest is a public institution located in Hammond, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, Purdue Northwest has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University Northwest is $8,608 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Engineering at Purdue University Northwest

15

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 88 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $13,351 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Engineering at UWM

16

Wright State University - Main Campus landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

Wright State University - Main Campus also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,747 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wright State University - Main Campus.

Read full report on General Engineering at Wright State University - Main Campus

17

Milwaukee School of Engineering ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MSOE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Milwaukee School of Engineering is $19,868 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering

18
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

With a ranking of #18, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $12,346 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about General Engineering at Central Michigan University

19

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 9 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Akron Main Campus has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Akron Main Campus is $15,510 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

20
Hope crest
Hope College
Holland, Michigan

Hope College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hope is a small school located in Holland, Michigan that handed out 53 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Hope not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hope College is $18,994 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on General Engineering at Hope College

21
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Bourbonnais, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

Olivet Nazarene also made our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene is $15,658 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on General Engineering at Olivet Nazarene University

22

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SIUC is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, SIUC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $12,226 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Engineering at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

23

Miami University - Oxford landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Miami University - Oxford is located in Oxford, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

Miami University - Oxford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $16,062 for Great Lakes Region Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Miami University - Oxford General Engineering Report

24

Cleveland State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 8 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Cleveland State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State University is $14,813 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Cleveland State University General Engineering Report

25
Calvin crest
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, Michigan

With a ranking of #25, Calvin University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Calvin University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 85 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Calvin, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Calvin is $22,475 for great lakes region engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on General Engineering at Calvin

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