2027 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Women's Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/womens-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for women’s studies students.
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2027 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the women’s studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
For return on investment in women's studies, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $14,802 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $33,991. Set against $14,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for women's studies. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $25,306. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #6 for value in women's studies this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $30,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. That is a strong return on a $30,614 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #7 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $25,730. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $29,887 early in their careers. Set against $25,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 for value in women's studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $28,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University earned the #9 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Illinois State University earned the #10 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $21,896. Women's Studies graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #11 spot for women's studies value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for women's studies value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $24,546. Women's Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for women's studies. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Northwestern University landed the #14 spot for women's studies value this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $39,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $18,029. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
