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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Economics in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

39 Ranked Colleges
849 Degrees Awarded
$28,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 849 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 39 colleges that offered a degree in economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality economics programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Economics Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree economics students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Economics in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#1

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Economics Report

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 156 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Economics Master’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 - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Economics at UW - Madison

#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 76 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at UIUC

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #4 spot on the list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 63 students in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Economics Report

#5

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at Indiana University - Bloomington

#14 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 14 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. 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.

Read full report on Economics at University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 2 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree economics students with aid list, UW - Whitewater has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater are $19,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

#23 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. IUPUI is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 5 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree economics students with aid list, IUPUI has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at IUPUI

#9

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at Michigan State

#10

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UWM is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 15 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at UWM

#8 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#12

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Illinois University are $20,761.

Read more about Economics at Eastern Illinois University

#13

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Northwestern University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 34 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern Economics Report

#14

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Youngstown State University are $9,495.

Full Youngstown State University Economics Report

Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Wright State University - Main Campus is located in Dayton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wright State University - Main Campus are $24,286, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#16

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 26 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #3 spot in our “Best Economics Master’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 Notre Dame are $57,522.

Full University of Notre Dame Economics Report

#17

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, Michigan

University of Detroit Mercy did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Detroit Mercy is a small school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 18 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Detroit Mercy, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Economics Master’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 Detroit Mercy are $20,047.

Full Detroit Mercy Economics Report

#18

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at Northern Illinois University

#19

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#24 in overall quality

Central Michigan University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at Central Michigan

#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 4 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree economics students with aid list, SIUC has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Economics Master’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

#21

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 16 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at Wayne State

#21 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 5 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

BGSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at BGSU

#23

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 11 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at Western Michigan University

#24

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996.

Full Western Illinois University Economics Report

#25

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

Eastern Michigan University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Eastern Michigan is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Michigan University are $26,552, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at Eastern Michigan

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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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