2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Ivy Tech Community College the best value for a degree in general education in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $10,874 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $26,848. That is a strong return on a $10,874 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $27,158. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general education. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $64,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for general education. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Western Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #7 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,161 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $54,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,161 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #8 among the best values for general education. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,778. Early-career general education graduates make about $62,620. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $61,073. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $60,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,016. General Education graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $57,003 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,250. Early-career general education graduates make about $42,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #13 for value in general education this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Stark State College landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,957 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #17 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,662. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in general education this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,836. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. General Education graduates carry a median of $30,990 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,867. That is a strong return on a $30,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Trinity Christian College placed #21 among the best values for general education. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Students from in state pay about $20,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $28,722. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,400. Set against $28,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bluffton University placed #22 among the best values for general education. Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bluffton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,362. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $29,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,821. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Bluffton University admits about 67% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University placed #23 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $29,364. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Central State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,058, while out-of-state students pay about $10,058. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,318. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Central State University generally make around $27,388. That is a strong return on a $31,318 median debt. Central State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $60,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value General Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general education:
Narrow General Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 128 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.
