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2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

39 Ranked Colleges
849 Degrees Awarded
$30,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Economics is the 18th most popular major in the country with 48,831 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 6,771 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,903 and $22,924 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 849 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 39 colleges that offer a degree in economics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent 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 economics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Economics Schools

The economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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 Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 34 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 59 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at UChicago

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 63 students in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at U-M

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 156 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at UW - Madison

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Notre Dame. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 26 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at Notre Dame

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 76 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794.

Full Purdue Economics Report

#8

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#12 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 9 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on Economics at Indiana University - Bloomington

#8 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 29 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at Ohio State

#10

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Michigan State Economics Report

#11

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Whitewater, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Whitewater are $19,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW - Whitewater Economics Report

#23 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013.

Read full report on Economics at IUPUI

#14 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIC has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIC Economics Report

#9 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 17 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford also took the #9 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at Miami University - Oxford

#15

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#16

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#24 in overall quality

Central Michigan University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359.

Read full report on Economics at Central Michigan

#17

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, Michigan

University of Detroit Mercy landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

Detroit Mercy also took the #16 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Detroit Mercy are $20,047, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Detroit Mercy Economics Report

#18

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio

With a ranking of #18, Youngstown State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Youngstown State University are $9,495.

Read full report on Economics at Youngstown State University

#19

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 11 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761.

Full EIU Economics Report

#20

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 4 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northern Illinois University Economics Report

#25 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Economics Report

Wright State University - Main Campus landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wright State University - Main Campus are $24,286, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Wright State University - Main Campus Economics Report

#23

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215.

Read more about Economics at Wayne State

#24

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

Illinois State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Illinois State University Economics Report

#25

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

Western Michigan University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 11 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355.

Full WMU Economics Report

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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

Footnotes

  • *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

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

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