2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
University Of Michigan Flint tops our 2027 list of the best value value schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $51,692 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value value 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. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for value. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Value graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Value graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $54,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Chicago came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,854. Value graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Global one of the best values for value. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $54,278. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University landed the #6 spot for value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,373. Early-career value graduates make about $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #7 for value in value this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,774. Value graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #8 spot for value value this year. 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, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Franklin University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,577 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,890 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $57,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baldwin Wallace College came in at #11 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,307 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Baldwin Wallace College generally make around $46,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
