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2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

28 Ranked Colleges
642 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 5,667 people earned their degree in business economics, making the major the 130th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 642 business economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 28 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in business economics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent business economics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the business economics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Business Economics (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
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 #1 for the Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 49 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $245 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. 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. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Business Economics at Northwestern

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 78 ’s business economics degrees to qualified students.

Ohio State also made our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus is $7,068 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Business Economics Report

3
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Oakland University landed the #3 spot on the list. Oakland University is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakland did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $8,949 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Business Economics at Oakland

4
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Grand Valley State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Grand Valley State University is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 45 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU also made our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $10,259 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend GVSU.

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 Business Economics at GVSU

5

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Miami University - Oxford landed the #5 spot on the list. Miami University - Oxford is a public institution located in Oxford, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford also took the #8 spot in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Business Economics at Miami University - Oxford

6

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s business economics students in 2020-2021.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,047 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read more about Business Economics at SIUE

7
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and it awarded 65 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Wheaton College Illinois also took the #3 spot in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $15,933 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 90%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Business Economics at Wheaton College Illinois

8
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saginaw Valley State University is a medium-sized school located in University Center, Michigan that handed out 6 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Saginaw Valley State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Saginaw Valley State University is $10,424 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 full report on Business Economics at Saginaw Valley State University

9
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Bradley is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bradley has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,588 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bradley University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Business Economics at Bradley University

10
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 13 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lewis, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,284 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lewis University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Business Economics at Lewis

11
Aquinas College Michigan crest
Aquinas College Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Aquinas College Michigan came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 5 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Aquinas College Michigan also took the #16 spot in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Aquinas College Michigan is $12,825 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Aquinas College Michigan Business Economics Report

12
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marquette University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 30 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marquette, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,589 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marquette.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Business Economics at Marquette

13

Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Athens, Ohio, and it awarded 19 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

OHIO Athens also took the #13 spot in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,614 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus.

Read more about Business Economics at OHIO Athens

14

Cleveland State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 12 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Cleveland State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cleveland State University is $13,272 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Business Economics at Cleveland State University

15
Hope crest
Hope College
Holland, Michigan

Hope College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Hope is a small school located in Holland, Michigan that handed out 5 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hope, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hope College is $17,553 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Business Economics at Hope College

16
Northwood crest
Northwood University
Midland, Michigan

Northwood University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Midland, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s business economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwood, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwood is $15,303 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 Northwood Business Economics Report

17

Wright State University - Main Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wright State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 18 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,980 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wright State University - Main Campus.

Full Wright State University - Main Campus Business Economics Report

18

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Western Illinois University is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Western Illinois University is $12,265 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Business Economics at WIU

19
UDayton crest
University of Dayton
Dayton, Ohio

University of Dayton landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 48 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UDayton, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,334 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Dayton.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Business Economics at UDayton

20
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Eastern Michigan is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s business economics degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $12,465 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Eastern Michigan University Business Economics Report

21
Cedarville crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, Ohio

Cedarville University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cedarville is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedarville, Ohio. It awarded 3 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Cedarville also made our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Cedarville University is $15,439 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Business Economics at Cedarville University

22
Capital crest
Capital University
Columbus, Ohio

Capital University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s business economics degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

Capital not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Capital University is $19,970 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Business Economics at Capital

23
Xavier crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, Ohio

Xavier University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 15 degrees to qualified ’s business economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Xavier, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Xavier University is $29,961 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Xavier University Business Economics Report

24

Ohio Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. OWU is a small school located in Delaware, Ohio that handed out 3 ’s business economics degrees in 2020-2021.

OWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $22,319 for great lakes region business economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio Wesleyan University.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Business Economics at Ohio Wesleyan University

25
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. DePaul University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

DePaul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Business Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend DePaul is $27,123 for Great Lakes Region Business Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full DePaul University Business Economics Report

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