2027 Best Value General Mathematics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[General Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/general-mathematics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for general mathematics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Mathematics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Mathematics Schools
Leading the list is Dominican University, our #1 best value for general mathematics in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general mathematics will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. 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. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $20,115. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for general mathematics. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,589 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $80,676 early in their careers. Set against $21,589 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general mathematics will find it at Schoolcraft College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for general mathematics. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $100,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #6 position for value in general mathematics this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $47,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Indiana University East landed the #7 spot for general mathematics value this year. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $22,388 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $58,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University landed the #8 spot for general mathematics value this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $26,373. General Mathematics graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Oakland University landed the #9 spot for general mathematics value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,847 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $48,728. That is a strong return on a $20,847 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #11 among the best values for general mathematics. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,868 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $45,397 early in their careers. Set against $23,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #12 position for value in general mathematics this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for general mathematics value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $18,820 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $49,387. That is a strong return on a $18,820 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #15 for value in general mathematics this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #16 position for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $43,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,044 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $44,857. That is a strong return on a $25,044 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #18 for value in general mathematics this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $50,285 early in their careers. Set against $22,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #19 spot for general mathematics value this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $54,302. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Wayne State University came in at #20 for value in general mathematics this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Michigan Technological University came in at #21 for value in general mathematics this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #22 for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $59,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #23 for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $67,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $52,921. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #25 among the best values for general mathematics. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $23,642 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $46,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Mathematics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general mathematics value ranking:
Narrow General Mathematics Schools by State
More General Mathematics Rankings
View All General Mathematics Rankings >
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.