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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geography (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

45 Ranked Colleges
560 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Geography is the 144th most popular major in the country with 5,476 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 776 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 560 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,075 and $25,381 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 45 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geography. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geography programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the geography program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geography (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $7,934 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UChicago Geography Report

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $6,452 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geography at Northwestern

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $13,227 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Geography at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#3 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 #4 for the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,351 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UIUC.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 42 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus is $13,982 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 26 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - La Crosse also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $13,304 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Full UW - La Crosse Geography Report

#7

University of Wisconsin - River Falls

River Falls, Wisconsin
#9 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized school located in River Falls, Wisconsin that handed out 10 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - River Falls also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,474 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Geography Report

#8

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $12,060 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.

Read more about Geography at Indiana University - Bloomington

#19 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. SIUE is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 32 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,705 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read full report on Geography at SIUE

#10

University of Wisconsin - Platteville

Platteville, Wisconsin
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Platteville, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Platteville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,152 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Platteville.

Full University of Wisconsin - Platteville Geography Report

#11

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 19 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Whitewater also made our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $14,941 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full UW - Whitewater Geography Report

#12

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
#12 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 21 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,887 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.

Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Geography Report

#13

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

Grand Valley State University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Grand Valley State University is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 23 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,775 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend GVSU.

The low student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 GVSU

#14

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.

UW - Stevens Point also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,165 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UW - Stevens Point.

Read more about Geography at UW - Stevens Point

#15

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,346 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northern Illinois University.

Read full report on Geography at Northern Illinois University

#16

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend EIU is $13,560 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Geography at Eastern Illinois University

#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.

UW Oshkosh not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW Oshkosh is $15,236 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Geography at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $12,314 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Geography Report

University of Wisconsin - Parkside landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW - Parkside is a public institution located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $12,166 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UW - Parkside.

Full UW - Parkside Geography Report

#20

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

Illinois State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $19,080 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.

Read full report on Geography at Illinois State University

#21

Indiana University - Southeast

New Albany, Indiana

With a ranking of #21, Indiana University - Southeast did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indiana University - Southeast is a public institution located in New Albany, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Southeast is $12,387 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Geography at Indiana University - Southeast

#22

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#24 in overall quality

Ball State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, Ball State has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,185 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ball State.

Read more about Geography at Ball State University

#23

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Augustana College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Augustana is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rock Island, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Augustana also made our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana College is $21,453 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, 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 85%.

Full Augustana College Geography Report

#24

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

With a ranking of #24, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,591 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Central Michigan.

Read more about Geography at Central Michigan University

#25

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Michigan

With a ranking of #25, Saginaw Valley State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Saginaw Valley State University is $14,230 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Geography at Saginaw Valley State University

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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 Couleur.

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