2026 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Women's Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/womens-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong women's studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 63 schools to find the best return on investment for women’s studies students.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked Purdue University Main Campus the best value for a degree in women's studies in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $14,802 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $33,991 early in their careers. Set against $14,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh one of the best values for women's studies. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. 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 Whitewater, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $25,306. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $45,767. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at Central Michigan University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $27,857. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $50,688. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 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, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $25,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $29,887. That is a strong return on a $25,730 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #8 spot for women's studies value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $22,574. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University earned the #9 position for value in women's studies this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $49,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $22,056. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $31,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $45,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Oberlin College placed #14 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,366. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $25,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
