2026 Best Value Value Schools in Michigan
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in Michigan
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 Oakland University the best value for a degree in value in Michigan. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $55,254. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $31,016. Value graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $62,493 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for value graduates is $30,750. Early-career value graduates make about $50,539. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Central Michigan University one of the best values for value. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Michigan University earned it the #5 place for value. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Value graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $60,337. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $25,697 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $46,843. That is a strong return on a $25,697 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Northern Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for value. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Western Michigan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $58,501. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
