2027 Best Value Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 139 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for multi / interdisciplinary studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the multi / interdisciplinary studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in multi / interdisciplinary studies in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $6,500. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $30,509. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for multi / interdisciplinary studies. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,363 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $18,345. That is a strong return on a $6,363 median debt.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in multi / interdisciplinary studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $23,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in multi / interdisciplinary studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $8,315 in student loans. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $27,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College placed #7 among the best values for multi / interdisciplinary studies. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
College Of Lake County landed the #8 spot for multi / interdisciplinary studies value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $7,833. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $37,724. That is a strong return on a $7,833 median debt.
Triton College earned the #9 position for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,984 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $29,069. Set against $10,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College placed #10 among the best values for multi / interdisciplinary studies. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College came in at #11 for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,334 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $6,632 in student loans. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $21,956 early in their careers. Set against $6,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #13 position for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,583 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $26,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College earned the #14 position for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Spoon River College placed #15 among the best values for multi / interdisciplinary studies. Spoon River College is a small public school located in the rural area of Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,090, while out-of-state students pay about $13,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,386 ten years after entry.
Mchenry County College came in at #16 for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $28,614. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #17 position for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,012 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $28,340. Set against $16,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kishwaukee College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,407 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $24,070 early in their careers. Set against $9,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morton College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. Morton College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cicero. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,884, while out-of-state students pay about $11,028. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $22,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #20 for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $10,000. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $43,834. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $41,866 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $51,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #22 among the best values for multi / interdisciplinary studies. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $27,451. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Sinclair Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $10,089. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $10,089 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #24 among the best values for multi / interdisciplinary studies. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,115. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in multi / interdisciplinary studies:
Narrow Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools by State
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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 · 139 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 139 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.