Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

21 Ranked Colleges
989 Degrees Awarded
Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 133,583 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, general studies is the 5th most popular major in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 14,268 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 989 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,075 and $25,381 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank General Studies Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 21 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for General Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. U-M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 bachelors’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

U-M also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $10,028 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, 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 96%.

Read full report on General Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Dearborn. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 19 bachelors’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UM Dearborn also took the #9 spot in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UM Dearborn is $10,553 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Dearborn General Studies Report

#3

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ferris State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 54 bachelors’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Ferris also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,101 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ferris.

Full Ferris General Studies Report

#4

Baker College

Owosso, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Baker College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Baker College is a medium-sized school located in Owosso, Michigan that handed out 39 bachelors’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Baker College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Baker College is $15,933 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Baker College General Studies Report

#5

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Youngstown State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 115 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

Youngstown State University also took the #14 spot in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Youngstown State University is $13,786 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Youngstown State University

#6

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

Illinois State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 100 bachelors’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $19,080 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Illinois State University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.

Full Illinois State General Studies Report

#7

Shawnee State University

Portsmouth, Ohio
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Shawnee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Shawnee State University is a small public school situated in Portsmouth, Ohio. It awarded 5 bachelors’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Shawnee State University has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Shawnee State University is $17,597 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Studies at Shawnee State University

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 19 bachelors’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,180 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Full Northeastern Illinois University General Studies Report

#6 in overall quality

Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Marion, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 16 degrees to qualified bachelors’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, IWU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana Wesleyan University is $18,465 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full IWU General Studies Report

#5 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 139 bachelors’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kent State University at Kent is $19,299 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Kent State

#11

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, Michigan
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Spring Arbor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Spring Arbor is located in Spring Arbor, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 bachelors’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Spring Arbor also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Spring Arbor is $18,662 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Spring Arbor University General Studies Report

#12

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

Chicago State University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,023 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Chicago State University.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Chicago State University General Studies Report

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Marion, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s general studies degrees to 69 students in 2019-2020.

IWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is $23,367 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Studies at IWU

#14

Lincoln College

Lincoln, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

Lincoln College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lincoln College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lincoln, Illinois. It awarded 1 bachelors’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Lincoln College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln College is $22,467 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Lincoln College General Studies Report

#15

Alverno College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#13 in overall quality

Alverno College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s general studies degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Alverno has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Alverno College is $15,783 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on General Studies at Alverno

#16

Siena Heights University

Adrian, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

Siena Heights University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Siena Heights University is located in Adrian, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 bachelors’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Siena Heights University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Siena Heights University is $18,562 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Studies at Siena Heights University

#17

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, DePaul University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. DePaul University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 141 bachelors’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

DePaul not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend DePaul is $28,075 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 more about General Studies at DePaul University

#18

University of Dayton

Dayton, Ohio
#3 in overall quality

University of Dayton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. UDayton is located in Dayton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

UDayton also made our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $24,614 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UDayton.

The low 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Dayton General Studies Report

#19

Cornerstone University

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

Cornerstone University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cornerstone is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 bachelors’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornerstone, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cornerstone is $19,973 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on General Studies at Cornerstone University

#20

Tiffin University

Tiffin, Ohio
#17 in overall quality

Tiffin University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Tiffin University is located in Tiffin, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 bachelors’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Tiffin University has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tiffin University is $22,454 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Studies at Tiffin University

#21

Ohio Christian University

Circleville, Ohio
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Ohio Christian University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Circleville, Ohio, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

OCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio Christian University is $21,594 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on General Studies at Ohio Christian University

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Featured Liberal Arts Schools

Find Schools Near You