by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in the Great Lakes Region? We have ranked 381 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 381 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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After analyzing 381 schools in the Great Lakes Region to surface the strongest return on investment. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We weigh cost against outcomes such as graduation rates, educational resources, and what graduates earn.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. Read more about our methodology.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis ranked Carl Sandburg College the best college for the money in the Great Lakes Region. Based in Galesburg, IL, Carl Sandburg College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. The median program debt is $8,604. Carl Sandburg College alumni report median earnings of $35,274 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,604 median debt.
You'll get strong value at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete their program here. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College alumni report median earnings of $37,962 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #3 place in the Great Lakes Region. Located in Palos Hills, IL, Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #4 on this year's best-value ranking in the Great Lakes Region. Located in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College students take on a median of $8,093 in debt. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College alumni report median earnings of $41,625 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #5 on this year's best-value ranking in the Great Lakes Region. Harper College is a public school based in Palatine, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. The median program debt is $10,963. Harper College alumni report median earnings of $48,071 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Lake Land College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Lake Land College is a public school based in Mattoon, IL. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $38,877 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Elgin Community College placed #7 among the best values in the Great Lakes Region. Set in Elgin, IL, Elgin Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Elgin Community College students take on a median of $7,727 in debt. Median earnings reach $45,516 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Godfrey, IL, Lewis And Clark Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,724. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Oglesby, IL. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Illinois Valley Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,810 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Joliet, IL, Joliet Junior College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. The median program debt is $11,995. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage landed the #11 spot for value in the Great Lakes Region this year. Set in Glen Ellyn, IL, College Of Dupage is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $12,492. College Of Dupage alumni report median earnings of $46,909 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Danville Area Community College is a public school based in Danville, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,470 in student loans. Danville Area Community College alumni report median earnings of $34,867 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Grayslake, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. The median program debt is $9,785. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,424. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Oakton Community College landed the #14 spot for value in the Great Lakes Region this year. Oakton Community College is a public school based in Des Plaines, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,852. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #15 among the best values in the Great Lakes Region. Set in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt is $11,533. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,531 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College students take on a median of $12,272 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,427 ten years after entry. Set against $12,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alpena Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Alpena, MI, Alpena Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt is $10,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,442. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Based in River Grove, IL, Triton College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Triton College students take on a median of $12,994 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,728. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College landed the #19 spot for value in the Great Lakes Region this year. Set in Warren, MI, Macomb Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Springfield, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,479. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Washtenaw Community College is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt is $17,616. Washtenaw Community College alumni report median earnings of $39,449 a decade after entry. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waubonsee Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Waubonsee Community College is a public school based in Sugar Grove, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Waubonsee Community College alumni report median earnings of $44,788 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Kankakee, IL, Kankakee Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. The median program debt is $13,289. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,767. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Cleveland, OH, Cuyahoga Community College District is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. The median program debt is $14,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,654. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Ohio University Eastern Campus placed #25 among the best values in the Great Lakes Region. This public school is set in Saint Clairsville, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Typical student debt is $25,223. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,581 ten years after entry. Set against $25,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
Explore the rest of this year’s top values below:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Gateway Technical College | Kenosha, WI | Value Report |
| 52 | Montcalm Community College | Sidney, MI | Value Report |
| 53 | Mchenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | Value Report |
| 54 | Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee, WI | Value Report |
| 55 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | Value Report |
| 56 | Northwestern Michigan College | Traverse City, MI | Value Report |
Also worth considering for the money:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 381 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: Region · 381 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.