2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
38
Ranked Colleges
697
Degrees Awarded
$8,800
Avg Net Price*
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 Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 4,954 people earned their degree in geography, making the major the 159th most popular in the United States.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 697 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 38 colleges that offer a degree in geography. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geography programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the geography program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $2,500 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Chicago Geography Report
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 8 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $245 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Northwestern Geography Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 40 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Geography at UW - Madison
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 13 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Geography Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 41 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $7,068 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read full report on Geography at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $5,752 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Indiana University - Bloomington Geography Report
Michigan State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 24 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $6,927 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Michigan State University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography at Michigan State
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - La Crosse is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - La Crosse, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,517 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geography at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
UW - River Falls did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $8,438 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography at UW - River Falls
With a ranking of #10, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 26 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, SIUE has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,047 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Geography at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Ball State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ball State University is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 21 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $8,273 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography at Ball State University
Miami University - Oxford came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a public institution located in Oxford, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Miami University - Oxford also took the #6 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,956 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Miami University - Oxford Geography Report
Indiana State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. This medium-sized school is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, and it awarded 25 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Indiana State also took the #25 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,104 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana State University.
Read full report on Geography at Indiana State University
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Eau Claire is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Eau Claire also took the #14 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Eau Claire is $9,547 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Geography at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin - Parkside ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and it awarded 14 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,741 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Parkside.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography at University of Wisconsin - Parkside
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 40 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
UW - Whitewater also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $8,143 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full UW - Whitewater Geography Report
Central Michigan University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Michigan University is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,805 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Central Michigan University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Geography at Central Michigan
Western Michigan University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.
WMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $13,112 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Geography at Western Michigan University
Grand Valley State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 20 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
GVSU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,259 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Grand Valley State University Geography Report
Illinois State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois State is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,783 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Illinois State Geography Report
Indiana University - Southeast came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Southeast is a small school located in New Albany, Indiana that handed out 8 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,587 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Southeast.
Read more about Geography at Indiana University - Southeast
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
UWM also took the #21 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $11,973 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Geography at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. This fairly large school is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and it awarded 8 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,499 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW Oshkosh.
Read full report on Geography at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Valparaiso University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Valparaiso, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geography degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Valpo, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,548 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Valpo.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Valparaiso University Geography Report
Eastern Michigan University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eastern Michigan University is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Eastern Michigan also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan University is $12,465 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Geography at Eastern Michigan University
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