2026 Best Value Value Schools in Michigan
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in Michigan
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 Michigan. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, 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. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #2 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for value. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the value program here. 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. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
View All Value Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 2 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.
