24
Ranked Colleges
2,411
Degrees Awarded
$11,700
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2020-2021, 18,325 people earned their degree in information science, making the major the 58th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, information science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $59,394 and had an average of $28,852 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,411 information science graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,224 and $22,002 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in information science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great information science programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the information science program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 100 degrees to qualified ’s IS students in 2020-2021.
Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $917 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 Information Science at Northwestern
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. U-M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 390 ’s IS degrees to qualified students.
U-M also made our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $5,670 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Information Science at U-M
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #3 spot on the list. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago also took the #4 spot in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,777 for Great Lakes Region IS students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Chicago.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 full report on Information Science at UChicago
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s IS degrees to 388 students in 2020-2021.
UIUC also made our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,036 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Information Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ivy Tech Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 384 diplomas to qualified ’s IS students in 2020-2021.
Ivy Tech Community College also made our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $6,820 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Information Science at Ivy Tech Community College
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 51 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cuyahoga Community College District, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cuyahoga Community College District is $4,171 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Information Science at Cuyahoga Community College District
University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 156 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UIC also made our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $11,351 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIC.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Information Science at UIC
With a ranking of #8, University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Michigan - Dearborn is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UM Dearborn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,465 for Great Lakes Region IS students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Information Science at UM Dearborn
Grand Valley State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s IS degrees to qualified students.
GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $11,026 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full Grand Valley State University Information Science Report
Wayne State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s IS students in 2020-2021.
Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wayne State University is $11,414 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Information Science at Wayne State
Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Ball State University is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,786 for Great Lakes Region IS students whose families make $30-$48k 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 more about Information Science at Ball State University
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 203 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k list, UWM has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,351 for Great Lakes Region IS students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UWM.
Read more about Information Science at UWM
With a ranking of #13, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s IS degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k list, Michigan State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,170 for Great Lakes Region IS students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Michigan State Information Science Report
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Green Bay is a medium-sized public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 14 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Green Bay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Green Bay is $9,445 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Information Science at UW - Green Bay
University of Michigan - Flint ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UM Flint is a medium-sized public school situated in Flint, Michigan. It awarded 15 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
UM Flint did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Flint is $8,952 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full University of Michigan - Flint Information Science Report
Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 7 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
Eastern Michigan also made our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $13,265 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Michigan.
Full Eastern Michigan University Information Science Report
Northwood University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Midland, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s IS students in 2020-2021.
Northwood did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,273 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwood University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.
Full Northwood University Information Science Report
Cleveland State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 82 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
Cleveland State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cleveland State University is $14,813 for great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Information Science at Cleveland State University
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 28 diplomas to qualified ’s IS students in 2020-2021.
BGSU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BGSU is $14,822 for Great Lakes Region IS students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Information Science at BGSU
Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 8 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
SXU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SXU is $10,429 for Great Lakes Region IS students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Saint Xavier University Information Science Report
With a ranking of #21, Bradley University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Peoria, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 11 degrees to qualified ’s IS students in 2020-2021.
Bradley also made our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $17,753 for Great Lakes Region IS students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Information Science at Bradley University
University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 13 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Akron Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $15,510 for Great Lakes Region IS students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Information Science at University of Akron Main Campus
DePaul University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. DePaul University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 ’s IS degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region is students whose families make $30-$48k list, DePaul has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $27,252 for Great Lakes Region IS students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend DePaul.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Information Science at DePaul
Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Roosevelt is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 5 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roosevelt, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Roosevelt University is $19,320 for Great Lakes Region IS students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Information Science at Roosevelt
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
