2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k
78
Ranked Colleges
6,916
Degrees Awarded
$19,300
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
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.
For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 78 colleges that offer a degree in economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality economics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 78 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 402 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,686 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northwestern University.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.
Full Northwestern Economics Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 626 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,895 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UChicago.
With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at UChicago
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 728 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $17,207 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 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 Economics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Out of the 78 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 260 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Notre Dame also took the #3 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,969 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Notre Dame.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.
Full Notre Dame Economics Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Beloit College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Beloit, Wisconsin, and it awarded 15 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Beloit did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $12,822 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Beloit College.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 90%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Economics at Beloit College
University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. 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. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $22,377 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Economics at UW - Madison
Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 196 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Purdue also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University - Main Campus is $17,124 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Economics at Purdue
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 563 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region economics students whose families make $75-$110k list, UIUC has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $22,400 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.
Full UIUC Economics Report
Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 331 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
Ohio State also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $21,575 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Economics Report
Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 140 students in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $20,234 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend IU Bloomington.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Read full report on Economics at Indiana University - Bloomington
With a ranking of #11, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 23 ’s economics degrees 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. The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $16,739 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 full report on Economics at University of Wisconsin - River Falls
University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 129 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region economics students whose families make $75-$110k list, UIC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $19,839 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.
Read more about Economics at UIC
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 25 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $16,472 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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
Michigan State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 379 students in 2020-2021.
Michigan State also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $25,297 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Michigan State.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Economics at Michigan State
DePauw University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Greencastle, Indiana, and it awarded 90 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
DePauw also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend DePauw is $23,092 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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%. 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 full report on Economics at DePauw
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UW - Whitewater is a public institution located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $17,253 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read more about Economics at UW - Whitewater
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $18,816 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on Economics at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UW Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 46 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is $17,169 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on Economics at UW Oshkosh
With a ranking of #19, Valparaiso University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Valparaiso University is a small school located in Valparaiso, Indiana that handed out 23 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Valpo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $23,646 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Valparaiso University.
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%.
Full Valparaiso University Economics Report
University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Michigan - Dearborn is a medium-sized school located in Dearborn, Michigan that handed out 23 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Dearborn is $17,197 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 Economics at UM Dearborn
Eastern Michigan University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Eastern Michigan is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan is $18,563 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read more about Economics at Eastern Michigan
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. 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 took the #15 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $23,746 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.
Read more about Economics at Wheaton College Illinois
Oakland University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $16,142 for great lakes region economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%.
Full Oakland Economics Report
Wabash College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Wabash is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Crawfordsville, Indiana. It awarded 21 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Wabash College is $22,259 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. 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.
Full Wabash College Economics Report
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $17,844 for Great Lakes Region Economics students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at IUPUI
