2026 Best Value Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Economics Schools
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for economics in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,690 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $68,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $19,002 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,767. That is a strong return on a $19,002 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #3 place for economics. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,216. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $18,711. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,443. That is a strong return on a $18,711 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Economics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $59,187 early in their careers. Set against $24,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in economics this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,228 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $58,921. That is a strong return on a $21,228 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,879. Economics graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $45,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,879 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $28,381 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $49,665 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,381 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #9 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $59,142. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #10 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,917. Economics graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $54,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Oakland University came in at #11 for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Economics graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Illinois University came in at #12 for value in economics this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,639. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,000. Early-career economics graduates make about $57,663. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #14 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $20,750. Early-career economics graduates make about $64,223. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,054. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $56,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $24,681 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,648. Set against $24,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #17 for value in economics this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $21,698 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $21,698 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #18 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $53,595. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,197. Early-career economics graduates make about $92,075. Set against $13,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #20 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $49,045. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #21 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $51,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #22 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $44,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $60,658. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #24 among the best values for economics. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $25,049 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $37,798. Set against $25,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #25 for value in economics this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,000. Economics graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $53,985 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Economics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for economics this year:
Narrow Economics Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 150 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
