2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in value in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $45,531. Set against $14,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Michigan Technological University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Green Bay one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Students borrow a median of $24,477 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $42,853 early in their careers. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, 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. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #8 spot for value value this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,551. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $49,223. That is a strong return on a $23,551 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University placed #9 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,838. Early-career value graduates make about $55,718. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University placed #10 among the best values for value. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $50,179. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #11 position for value in value this year. 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 value graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #12 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #13 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,174. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bradley University came in at #14 for value in value this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The College Of Wooster ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,640. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,936. Early-career value graduates make about $32,382. That is a strong return on a $25,936 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Knox College placed #16 among the best values for value. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Galesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $57,903. Students borrow a median of $26,420 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Knox College earn a median of $27,822 early in their careers. Set against $26,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Northwestern University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
John Carroll University placed #18 among the best values for value. John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,500. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,131. Early-career value graduates make about $44,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. John Carroll University admits about 81% of applicants.
Depaul University earned the #19 position for value in value this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Value graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #20 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Value graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Denison University came in at #21 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,000. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $39,797. Set against $25,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
