2027 Best Value Mathematics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mathematics schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mathematics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mathematics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mathematics Schools
For return on investment in mathematics, no school beat Dominican University this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mathematics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,589 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $80,676. Set against $21,589 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Schoolcraft College one of the best values for mathematics. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics will find it at University Of Chicago, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $100,421. 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 landed the #6 spot for mathematics value this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $22,388. Mathematics graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $58,764 early in their careers. Set against $22,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Youngstown State University landed the #8 spot for mathematics value this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. 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 placed #9 among the best values for mathematics. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $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 placed #10 among the best values for mathematics. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,847 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $48,728 early in their careers. Set against $20,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #11 among the best values for mathematics. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $23,868. 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. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #12 among the best values for mathematics. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Indiana State University landed the #13 spot for mathematics value this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $25,582. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $18,820. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $49,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #15 for value in mathematics this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #16 among the best values for mathematics. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northern Illinois University landed the #17 spot for mathematics value this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,044 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $44,857 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,044 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $50,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #19 for value in mathematics this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $54,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #20 among the best values for mathematics. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University landed the #21 spot for mathematics value this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #22 spot for mathematics value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $59,277. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $67,744. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $52,921. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #25 position for value in mathematics this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,642 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $46,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mathematics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mathematics:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
