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2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

18 Ranked Colleges
192 Degrees Awarded
$35,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 48,831 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 6,771 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,903 and $22,924 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 192 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great economics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 18 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 doctorate’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern Economics Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 37 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago Economics Report

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s economics degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #3 spot in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #5 spot on the list. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 4 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on Economics at University of Notre Dame

#6

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at Purdue

#7

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#10 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s economics degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #10 spot in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at IU Bloomington

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s economics degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s economics students in 2019-2020.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013.

Read full report on Economics at IUPUI

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 15 degrees to qualified doctorate’s economics students in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Economics Report

#12

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#8 in overall quality

Michigan State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Michigan State University is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 7 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at Michigan State

#13

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Read more about Economics at Northern Illinois University

#14 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SIUC is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SIUC Economics Report

#15

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#12 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UWM is a large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 4 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295.

Read more about Economics at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#16

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

Wayne State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne State is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 7 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wayne State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215.

Read more about Economics at Wayne State University

#17

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

Western Michigan University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s economics students in 2019-2020.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at Western Michigan University

#15 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 1 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644.

Read full report on Economics at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

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