2023 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region
78
Ranked Colleges
6,916
Degrees Awarded
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Economics is the 19th most popular major in the country with 49,055 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,736 and had an average of $22,046 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 6,916 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,027 and $23,639 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 78 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great economics programs and 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Economics Schools
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 Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 78 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 402 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $5,849 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 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%.
Read more about Economics at Northwestern
Out of the 78 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 626 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,375 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UChicago.
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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Economics at UChicago
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 728 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, U-M has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,481 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend U-M.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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 Economics at U-M
Out of the 78 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 196 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Purdue has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,450 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Purdue.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Purdue Economics Report
Out of the 78 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 864 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,364 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, 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 95%.
Read more about Economics at University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Notre Dame came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 260 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Notre Dame also took the #3 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Notre Dame is $14,020 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.
Read more about Economics at Notre Dame
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 563 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $11,505 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 more about Economics at UIUC
With a ranking of #8, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 331 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $13,273 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Economics at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 140 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $12,369 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.
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 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at IU Bloomington
Beloit College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Beloit is located in Beloit, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
Beloit also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Beloit College is $10,850 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 College Economics Report
Kenyon College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Kenyon is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Gambier, Ohio. It awarded 28 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Kenyon also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $20,727 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Kenyon College.
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 89%. 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.
Read more about Economics at Kenyon College
University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.
UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $14,105 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 Economics at University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - River Falls, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,528 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Economics at University of Wisconsin - River Falls
DePauw University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Greencastle, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 90 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, DePauw has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $22,316 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend DePauw.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Economics at DePauw
With a ranking of #15, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 379 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $20,557 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.
Full Michigan State University Economics Report
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UW - La Crosse is $13,198 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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.
Read more about Economics at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $13,306 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 Economics at IUPUI
Oakland University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 11 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $12,008 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 Economics at Oakland
Wabash College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Wabash College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Crawfordsville, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $19,742 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wabash College.
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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at Wabash College
University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn is $12,398 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Read full report on Economics at UM Dearborn
With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 44 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $14,737 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Economics at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheaton, Illinois. It awarded 35 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Wheaton College Illinois also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $18,373 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Economics at Wheaton College Illinois
With a ranking of #23, Valparaiso University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
Valpo also took the #20 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Valpo is $21,256 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at Valpo
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 17 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $14,226 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Economics at UW - Whitewater
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $14,499 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Read full report on Economics at SIUC
