2027 Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Mathematics & Computer Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/math-computer-science/mathematics-and-computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for mathematics & computer science students.
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2027 Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mathematics & computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools
University Of Illinois At Springfield tops our 2027 list of the best value mathematics & computer science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for mathematics & computer science. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $44,143 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mathematics & computer science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $24,813 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $68,137. That is a strong return on a $24,813 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for mathematics & computer science. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $23,350. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $109,843. That is a strong return on a $23,350 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #5 makes Western Michigan University one of the best values for mathematics & computer science. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $27,981. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Mathematics & Computer Science 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%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.