2023 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
38
Ranked Colleges
697
Degrees Awarded
$10,000
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
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.
This year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 38 colleges that offered a degree in geography. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geography programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geography program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The geography school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $4,777 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 UChicago Geography Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Northwestern also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $917 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography at Northwestern
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 40 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,788 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - Madison.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UW - Madison Geography Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.
UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,036 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UIUC 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 $30-$48k. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Ohio State also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $8,581 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio State.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Geography at Ohio State
Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend IU Bloomington.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Geography at Indiana University - Bloomington
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.
UW - La Crosse also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,075 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read full report on 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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. 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.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $9,478 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 - River Falls
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SIUE is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 26 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUE, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $8,825 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Geography at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
With a ranking of #10, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ball State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,786 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ball State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography at Ball State
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. 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 yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $10,658 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Geography at UW - Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. UW - Whitewater is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
UW - Whitewater did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $10,390 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Geography at UW - Whitewater
With a ranking of #13, Indiana State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Terre Haute, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.
Indiana State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana State University is $10,911 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Indiana State Geography Report
Central Michigan University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 5 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan University is $12,346 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 more about Geography at Central Michigan University
Michigan State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $15,170 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Michigan State Geography Report
Grand Valley State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.
GVSU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $11,026 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography at Grand Valley State University
With a ranking of #17, University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Parkside is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Parkside is $8,022 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UW - Parkside Geography Report
Illinois State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 32 ’s geography 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. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $14,982 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Illinois State
Eastern Illinois University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 7 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,056 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.
Read more about Geography at EIU
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - Stevens Point is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $9,052 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Geography at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Western Michigan University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, WMU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WMU is $15,552 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Western Michigan University Geography Report
Indiana University - Southeast did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Indiana University - Southeast is located in New Albany, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Southeast is $8,556 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Indiana University - Southeast Geography Report
With a ranking of #23, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 8 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Eastern Michigan also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $13,265 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Eastern Michigan University Geography Report
Miami University - Oxford landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Oxford, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 44 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
Miami University - Oxford also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Miami University - Oxford is $16,062 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geography at Miami University - Oxford
Youngstown State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,972 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Youngstown State University.
Full Youngstown State University Geography Report
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