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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Economics in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

18 Ranked Colleges
192 Degrees Awarded
$35,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 48,831 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 192 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great economics programs and cost less that 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid”.

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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 18 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Economics in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 28 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also took the #5 spot in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 20 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at U-M

#3

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s economics degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at Purdue University - Main Campus

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s economics degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at UIUC

#5

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified doctorate’s economics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at Indiana University - Bloomington

#11 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree economics students with aid list, UIC has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at University of Illinois at Chicago

#7

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#8 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 7 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Economics Doctor’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 Michigan State University are $37,056.

Read full report on Economics at Michigan State

#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s economics students in 2019-2020.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#12 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s economics degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UWM, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#10

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 20 doctorate’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern University Economics Report

#9 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s economics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree economics students with aid list, Ohio State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. NIU is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree economics students with aid list, NIU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Economics Doctor’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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Full NIU Economics Report

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree economics students with aid list, SIUC has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SIUC Economics Report

#14

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wayne State University is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wayne State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at Wayne State University

#15

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Notre Dame Economics Report

#16

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

Western Michigan University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. WMU is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree economics students with aid list, WMU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full WMU Economics Report

#17

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 doctorate’s economics degrees to qualified students.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Economics Doctor’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 UChicago are $61,548.

Full University of Chicago Economics Report

#15 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s economics degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree economics students with aid list, UC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Economics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at UC

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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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