2026 Best Value Pre-Dentistry Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Pre-Dentistry Studies](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/pre-dentistry-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pre-dentistry studies students.
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2026 Best Value Pre-Dentistry Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pre-dentistry studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pre-Dentistry Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Ball State University the best value for a degree in pre-dentistry studies in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $25,732 to complete the pre-dentistry studies program here. Early-career pre-dentistry studies graduates make about $37,638. That is a strong return on a $25,732 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in pre-dentistry studies will find it at Cornerstone University, which ranked #2. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Students borrow a median of $29,243 to complete the pre-dentistry studies program here. Early-career pre-dentistry studies graduates make about $44,501. That is a strong return on a $29,243 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Dayton one of the best values for pre-dentistry studies. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Pre-Dentistry Studies graduates carry a median of $24,794 in student loans. Early-career pre-dentistry studies graduates make about $20,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-dentistry studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the pre-dentistry studies program here. Early-career pre-dentistry studies graduates make about $58,568. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 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.
