2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/business-analytics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Whitewater, our #1 best value for value in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,306. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Michigan Flint, which ranked #2. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Value graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $51,692. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value 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. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the value program here. Value 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. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Value graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,045. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wright State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for value. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Value graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Michigan University landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $48,966. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Value graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Value graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for value. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Davenport University came in at #10 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Grand Rapids, Davenport University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,466. Students borrow a median of $30,603 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Davenport University earn a median of $55,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,603 median debt. Davenport University admits about 98% of applicants.
Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus landed the #11 spot for value value this year. Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Angola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,176. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,787. Early-career value graduates make about $47,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin University placed #12 among the best values for value. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,577. Students borrow a median of $35,890 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $57,471. Set against $35,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Depaul University placed #13 among the best values for value. 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,310. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,226. Set against $25,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
