2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
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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 Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Chippewa Valley Technical College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,234. Early-career value graduates make about $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan Technological University earned it the #3 place for value. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,800. Soon after graduation, value 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.
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. 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Green Bay one of the best values for value. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,619. 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 placed #7 among the best values for value. 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,657. 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.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #8 among the best values for value. 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, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,223. Set against $23,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University earned the #9 position for value in value this year. 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. Value graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #10 among the best values for value. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,378. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 for value in value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. 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 earned the #12 position for value in value this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,574. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent placed #13 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,174. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bradley University placed #14 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. 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. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Wooster landed the #15 spot for value value this year. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. Students from in state pay about $61,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,936 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Knox College landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Galesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,903. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,420. Early-career value graduates make about $27,822. Set against $26,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Knox College admits about 71% of applicants.
Northwestern University earned the #17 position for value in value this year. 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. Value graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,500. Students borrow a median of $26,131 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $44,308. That is a strong return on a $26,131 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Depaul University placed #19 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,340. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #20 spot for value value this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 earned the #21 position for value in value this year. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,000. Value graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. Value graduates of Denison University earn a median of $39,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Case Western Reserve University placed #22 among the best values for value. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,106. Value graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 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.
