---

2026 Best Value Value Schools in Michigan

[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) 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 4 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Value Schools in Michigan

2026 Best Value Value Schools in Michigan

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

1

Madonna University
Livonia, MI

$28,440 In-State Tuition & Fees

$26,896 Avg Student Debt

$59,058 Median Earnings (10yr)

Madonna University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Michigan. Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $28,440. Value graduates carry a median of $26,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $56,984. Set against $26,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Madonna University admits about 63% of applicants.

2

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

$18,079 In-State Tuition & Fees

$25,213 Avg Student Debt

$67,253 Median Earnings (10yr)

Michigan State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

View All Value Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.