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2023 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income Over $110k) in the Great Lakes Region

38 Ranked Colleges
697 Degrees Awarded
$21,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k” 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 Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 38 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k.

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

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - River Falls, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,844 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UW - River Falls.

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 University of Wisconsin - River Falls Geography Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 40 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $17,234 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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

3

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #3 spot on the list. UW - La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees 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 $14,654 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UW - 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UW - La Crosse Geography Report

4

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees 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. It costs about $16,845 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Ohio State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at Ohio State

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 40 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Whitewater, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $14,417 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Geography at UW - Whitewater

6

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #6 on this year’s Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k 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 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 $14,321 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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

7

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #7 on this year’s Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Eau Claire, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $16,051 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k.

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

8

With a ranking of #8, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k list. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 15 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $14,619 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k.

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%.

Read more about Geography at Indiana University - Bloomington

9
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

With a ranking of #9, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 8 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

Eastern Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan University is $15,127 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Geography at Eastern Michigan University

10
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $16,007 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make more than $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%.

Read full report on Geography at Central Michigan

11

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Edwardsville, Illinois 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.

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 yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $14,462 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Geography at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

12

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #12 on this year’s Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Stevens Point, 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.

It costs about $13,346 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UW - Stevens Point.

Full UW - Stevens Point Geography Report

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Oshkosh, Wisconsin 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.

The yearly cost to attend UW Oshkosh is $14,687 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Geography at UW Oshkosh

14
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #14. Indiana State is a medium-sized public school situated in Terre Haute, Indiana. 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. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana State is $14,270 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Geography at Indiana State

15
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #15. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 21 students 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. It costs about $14,765 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Ball State.

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 full report on Geography at Ball State University

16

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #16 on this year’s Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UWM also took the #21 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,486 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UWM.

Read full report on Geography at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

17

University of Wisconsin - Parkside came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, this small public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Parkside is $11,082 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $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%.

Read more about Geography at University of Wisconsin - Parkside

18
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #18. 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k list, WMU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Michigan University is $20,371 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Western Michigan University Geography Report

19

Grand Valley State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $17,356 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $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%.

Read full report on Geography at GVSU

20

With a ranking of #20, Youngstown State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This fairly large school is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and it awarded 8 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $12,225 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Youngstown State University Geography Report

21
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #21. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $19,058 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k.

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 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 more about Geography at Michigan State

22
CSU crest
Chicago State University
Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Chicago State University is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 3 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Chicago State University is $12,681 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Geography at Chicago State University

23

Miami University - Oxford came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Oxford, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 44 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $24,756 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, 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 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Miami University - Oxford Geography Report

24

Wright State University - Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Wright State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 3 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,962 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Wright State University - Main Campus.

Read more about Geography at Wright State University - Main Campus

25
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making Over $110k list. EIU is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 7 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,098 for great lakes region geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Full Eastern Illinois University Geography Report

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