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2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

38 Ranked Colleges
697 Degrees Awarded
$19,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 $75-$110k” ranking.

Geography is the 159th most popular major in the country with 4,954 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

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 $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 38 colleges that offer a degree in geography. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geography programs that also have a lower cost than 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.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” list to help you make the college 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 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 $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geography degrees to 11 students 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 $19,895 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Geography at University of Chicago

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

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 $75-$110k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 8 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,686 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northwestern.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Northwestern Geography Report

3

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 40 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $22,377 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Geography Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized school located in River Falls, Wisconsin that handed out 10 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - River Falls also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $16,739 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 UW - River Falls Geography Report

5

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 #5 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees 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 yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $22,400 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geography at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

6

With a ranking of #6, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 41 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $21,575 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geography at Ohio State

7

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. 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 made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $16,472 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Geography Report

8

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $20,234 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad 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 91%.

Read more about Geography at Indiana University - Bloomington

9

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 40 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $17,253 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Geography Report

10

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 26 ’s geography 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 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $18,816 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Geography at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

11
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $18,135 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Full Central Michigan University Geography Report

12

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

SIUE also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $18,226 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full SIUE Geography Report

13
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

With a ranking of #13, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Eastern Michigan, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,563 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Eastern Michigan University.

Read full report on Geography at Eastern Michigan University

14

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. This medium-sized school is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and it awarded 10 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Stevens Point is $16,503 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Geography Report

15
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 21 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $19,563 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Ball State

16

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large public school situated in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It awarded 8 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW Oshkosh is $17,169 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Geography at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

17

University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. UW - Parkside is a small school located in Kenosha, Wisconsin that handed out 14 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,198 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UW - Parkside.

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 UW - Parkside

18
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #18. 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 also took the #25 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana State is $19,566 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Geography at Indiana State University

19

Grand Valley State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. 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. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $19,603 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Full GVSU Geography Report

20

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 21 ’s geography degrees 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 $20,785 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Geography at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

21
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 7 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,594 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Read more about Geography at Eastern Illinois University

22
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

With a ranking of #22, Valparaiso University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Valparaiso, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

Valpo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Valpo is $23,646 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 full report on Geography at Valpo

23
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 24 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $25,297 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on Geography at Michigan State

24

Youngstown State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,809 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Read more about Geography at Youngstown State University

25
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

With a ranking of #25, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Western Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 26 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

WMU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,726 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend WMU.

Read more about Geography at WMU

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