2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 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
Leading the list is Youngstown State University, our #1 best value for value in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Value graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Flint earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $31,016. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $51,692. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Purdue University Global, which ranked #3. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Value graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $54,278. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. 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. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #5 place for value. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin University earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,577. Typical student debt for value graduates is $35,890. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $57,471. That is a strong return on a $35,890 median debt.
Butler University landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,560. Value graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Value graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Set against $25,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Butler University admits about 85% 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
