2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in value in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $59,815. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Michigan Flint, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $62,493. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jackson Community College earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Value graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Jackson Community College generally make around $41,322. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,925. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $61,014. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for value graduates is $36,778. Value graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,735 early in their careers. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Northwest placed #6 among the best values for value. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,434 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $54,390 early in their careers. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #7 among the best values for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $66,900. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
National Louis University came in at #8 for value in value this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Value graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $53,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #9 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Value graduates carry a median of $28,091 in student loans. Value graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $48,561 early in their careers. Set against $28,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $50,539. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University came in at #11 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $51,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #12 for value in value this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Value graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $62,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #13 position for value in value this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $65,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University placed #14 among the best values for value. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,508. Set against $22,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Value graduates carry a median of $20,731 in student loans. Value graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,731 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University earned the #16 position for value in value this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $45,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #17 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $51,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,981. Value graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $58,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Value graduates carry a median of $33,307 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $47,491. Set against $33,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #20 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Value graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Value graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $60,337 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University earned the #21 position for value in value this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Value graduates carry a median of $25,697 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $46,843. Set against $25,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Value graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $47,732. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for value value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Value graduates carry a median of $21,887 in student loans. Value graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,294 early in their careers. Set against $21,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #24 spot for value value this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Value graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Central Michigan University landed the #25 spot for value value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,500. Early-career value graduates make about $56,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Value Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for value this year:
Narrow Value Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
