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2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

66 Ranked Colleges
3,685 Degrees Awarded
$10,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 28,837 people earned their degree in general economics, making the major the 29th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,685 general economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 66 colleges that offered a degree in general economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general economics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general 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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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Economics (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 646 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,670 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at U-M

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 624 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also made our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $4,788 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at University of Wisconsin - Madison

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 352 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC also took the #3 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,036 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, 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 94%.

Read full report on General Economics at UIUC

4
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 124 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 General Economics at Indiana University - Bloomington

5
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Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio

Out of the 66 schools in the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Kenyon College landed the #5 spot on the list. Kenyon is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Gambier, Ohio. It awarded 28 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Kenyon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Kenyon is $18,974 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Kenyon General Economics Report

6
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Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Beloit College is located in Beloit, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

Beloit did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,873 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Beloit College.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Beloit General Economics Report

7

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $8,216 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis General Economics Report

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 117 ’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $11,351 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on General Economics at UIC

9
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general economics degrees to 277 students in 2020-2021.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $15,170 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Michigan State University General Economics Report

10

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified ’s general economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - River Falls, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,478 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - River Falls.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 General Economics at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general economics degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,075 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - La Crosse.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Wisconsin - La Crosse General Economics Report

12
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Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #12, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $8,839 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on General Economics at Oakland University

13
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Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $10,786 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ball State General Economics Report

14
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Southern Indiana is a medium-sized school located in Evansville, Indiana that handed out 17 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend USI is $10,440 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 General Economics at University of Southern Indiana

15

With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 44 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $10,658 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Economics at UW - Eau Claire

16

University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s general economics students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UM Dearborn is $10,465 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 UM Dearborn General Economics Report

17

With a ranking of #17, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 12 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,825 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Economics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 17 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $10,390 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Economics at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

19

Miami University - Oxford ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 126 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Miami University - Oxford is $16,062 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at Miami University - Oxford

20
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

With a ranking of #20, Valparaiso University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Valparaiso, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general economics degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

Valpo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $19,717 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Valpo.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 General Economics at Valpo

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Parkside is a small school located in Kenosha, Wisconsin that handed out 13 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,022 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - Parkside.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at University of Wisconsin - Parkside

22
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Wayne State University is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 45 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,414 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wayne State.

Full Wayne State General Economics Report

23
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Albion College
Albion, Michigan

Albion College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Albion, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 34 degrees to qualified ’s general economics students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Albion College is $12,732 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Economics at Albion

24
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Wabash College
Crawfordsville, Indiana

Wabash College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Wabash is a small school located in Crawfordsville, Indiana that handed out 21 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Wabash also made our “Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Wabash is $14,558 for Great Lakes Region General Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 2.8% 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 more about General Economics at Wabash

25

With a ranking of #25, Youngstown State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school situated in Youngstown, Ohio. It awarded 26 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Youngstown State University is $9,972 for great lakes region general economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Economics at Youngstown State University

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