2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid
38
Ranked Colleges
697
Degrees Awarded
$15,700
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Geography is the 159th most popular major in the country with 4,954 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 697 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 38 colleges that offered a degree in geography. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geography programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geography 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 Geography Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geography in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 13 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $14,321 for Great Lakes Region Geography students with aid.
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 full report on Geography at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 40 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $17,234 for great lakes region geography students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%.
Read more about Geography at UW - Madison
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $14,619 for great lakes region geography students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography at Indiana University - Bloomington
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - La Crosse, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $14,654 for Great Lakes Region Geography students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.
Full UW - La Crosse Geography Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 41 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus is $16,845 for Great Lakes Region Geography students with aid.
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%.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Geography Report
University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
UW - River Falls also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $13,844 for great lakes region geography students with aid per year to attend UW - River Falls.
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 more about Geography at University of Wisconsin - River Falls
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a public institution located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Whitewater, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,417 for Great Lakes Region Geography students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
Read more about Geography at UW - Whitewater
Michigan State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $19,058 for great lakes region geography students with aid.
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 full report on Geography at Michigan State
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
UW - Eau Claire also took the #14 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,051 for great lakes region geography students with aid per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.
Read full report on Geography at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Ball State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,765 for great lakes region geography students with aid per year to attend Ball State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography at Ball State University
Indiana State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Terre Haute, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.
Indiana State also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana State is $14,270 for Great Lakes Region Geography students with aid.
Full Indiana State Geography Report
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.
SIUE also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $14,462 for great lakes region geography students with aid.
Read full report on Geography at SIUE
With a ranking of #13, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UW Oshkosh is $14,687 for great lakes region geography students with aid.
Full University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Geography Report
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UWM, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UWM is $17,486 for great lakes region geography students with aid.
Read more about Geography at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Central Michigan University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 5 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students with aid list, Central Michigan has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $16,007 for Great Lakes Region Geography students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography at Central Michigan
With a ranking of #16, University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - Parkside is $11,082 for Great Lakes Region Geography students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography at University of Wisconsin - Parkside
Western Michigan University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 26 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
WMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $20,371 for great lakes region geography students with aid.
Full WMU Geography Report
With a ranking of #18, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a medium-sized public school situated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It awarded 10 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $13,346 for great lakes region geography students with aid.
Full UW - Stevens Point Geography Report
With a ranking of #19, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ypsilanti, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
Eastern Michigan also took the #22 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,127 for Great Lakes Region Geography students with aid per year to attend Eastern Michigan.
Read full report on Geography at Eastern Michigan
With a ranking of #20, Chicago State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. CSU is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for CSU is $12,681 for great lakes region geography students with aid.
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 Geography at Chicago State University
Eastern Illinois University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 7 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $13,098 for great lakes region geography students with aid.
Full EIU Geography Report
With a ranking of #22, Indiana University - Southeast did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Indiana University - Southeast is located in New Albany, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $11,446 for Great Lakes Region Geography students with aid per year to attend Indiana University - Southeast.
Full Indiana University - Southeast Geography Report
Northwestern University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $23,279 for great lakes region geography students with aid.
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 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geography at Northwestern University
Grand Valley State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 20 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
GVSU also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $17,356 for Great Lakes Region Geography students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full GVSU Geography Report
Illinois State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Illinois State University is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $20,830 for Great Lakes Region Geography students with aid.
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 Illinois State Geography Report
