2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/philosphy-politics-and-economics/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
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
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Value graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,449. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $45,196. Set against $25,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
A rank of #3 makes Wabash College one of the best values for value. Located in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,800. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Value graduates of Wabash College earn a median of $40,138 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
