2027 Best Value Health Sciences & Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Health Sciences & Services](/majors/health-care-professions/health-services-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for health sciences & services students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Health Sciences & Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health sciences & services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health Sciences & Services Schools
Leading the list is Washtenaw Community College, our #1 best value for health sciences & services in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $17,629 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Kalamazoo Valley Community College one of the best values for health sciences & services. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health sciences & services, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Kokomo one of the best values for health sciences & services. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $30,760. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Northwest earned it the #5 place for health sciences & services. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $26,500. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $33,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Oakland University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $25,972. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #7 among the best values for health sciences & services. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $26,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Purdue University Global landed the #8 spot for health sciences & services value this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $21,671 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $21,671 median debt.
Jackson Community College placed #9 among the best values for health sciences & services. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $41,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Health Sciences & Services graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $29,735 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Indiana University South Bend earned the #11 position for value in health sciences & services this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,551 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $32,829. Set against $25,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #12 among the best values for health sciences & services. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $14,997. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $42,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #13 spot for health sciences & services value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $21,339 in student loans. Health Sciences & Services graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $34,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,339 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #14 spot for health sciences & services value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $24,293. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $26,657. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $50,047. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Ball State University placed #16 among the best values for health sciences & services. 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. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $41,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Health Sciences & Services graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Western Michigan University landed the #18 spot for health sciences & services value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $27,981. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Siena Heights University earned the #19 position for value in health sciences & services this year. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,683 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of $52,998 early in their careers. Set against $26,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
College Of Mount St Joseph placed #20 among the best values for health sciences & services. College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $28,273. Health Sciences & Services graduates of College Of Mount St Joseph earn a median of $69,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,450. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $19,500. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $51,987. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #22 spot for health sciences & services value this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $26,375. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $29,260. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College Of Ohio earned the #23 position for value in health sciences & services this year. Located in the city of Toledo, Mercy College Of Ohio is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,345 in tuition and fees. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $37,025 in student loans. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Mercy College Of Ohio earn a median of $65,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,025 median debt. Mercy College Of Ohio admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne came in at #24 for value in health sciences & services this year. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $36,460. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $27,000. Health Sciences & Services graduates of University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earn a median of $38,878 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Otterbein University placed #25 among the best values for health sciences & services. Set in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,548. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Otterbein University earn a median of $30,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Health Sciences & Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health sciences & services:
Narrow Health Sciences & Services Schools by State
More Health Sciences & Services Rankings
View All Health Sciences & Services Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
