2027 Best Value General Applied Mathematics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[General Applied Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-mathematics/general-applied-mathematics/) 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 8 schools to find the best return on investment for general applied mathematics students.
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2027 Best Value General Applied Mathematics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general applied mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Applied Mathematics Schools
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #1 spot for value among general applied mathematics schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. General Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. General Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in general applied mathematics will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for general applied mathematics graduates is $19,844. General Applied Mathematics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Stout earned it the #3 place for general applied mathematics. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. General Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $67,159. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Kent State University At Kent one of the best values for general applied mathematics. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the general applied mathematics program here. Early-career general applied mathematics graduates make about $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general applied mathematics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. General Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $19,891 in student loans. General Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University earned the #6 position for value in general applied mathematics this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general applied mathematics program here. General Applied Mathematics graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $94,684 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #7 for value in general applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the general applied mathematics program here. Early-career general applied mathematics graduates make about $81,728. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University placed #8 among the best values for general applied mathematics. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. General Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. General Applied Mathematics graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.