by our College Data Analytics TeamIt's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking is part of that endeavor.
See What's Included in This Value Report:
After analyzing 417 schools in the Great Lakes Region , we came up with our list of those that offered the best value programs. To come up with this ranking of the best value schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
To determine the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking, we first add average tuition, fees, and room and board costs (without aid) together. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.
To account for this we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
Find out more about our best value ranking methodology.
Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.
If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Fox College tops this year’s ranking as the best value (no aid) school in the Great Lakes Region for overall quality. Fox College is a small private for-profit school situated in Tinley Park, Illinois.
The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $21,640 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $6,200 a year.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northcentral Technical College. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Northcentral Technical College has the honor of being ranked #9 in Wisconsin for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $11,855 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $6,440 a year.
The quality degree programs at Eastern Gateway Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region. Located in Steubenville, Ohio, the school is a large public institution.
Not only is Eastern Gateway Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #15 in Ohio for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $11,622 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $3,600 a year.
The quality degree programs at Moody Bible Institute helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region. Moody Bible Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois.
The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $26,435 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $21,370 per year for graduate students.
A rank of #5 on our Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list means Western Technical College is a great place for students working on their degree. Western Technical College is a small public school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Western Technical College is ranked #7 for quality in the state of Wisconsin. The average cost without aid for the school is $13,659 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $6,972 per year for graduate students.
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Cincinnati State is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has the honor of being ranked #13 in Ohio for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $14,220 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $5,130 a year.
Learn More About Value at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Chippewa Valley Technical College has the honor of being ranked #8 in Wisconsin for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $14,527 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $7,844 per year for graduate students.
With a ranking of #8, University of Northwestern Ohio did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Northwestern Ohio is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lima, Ohio.
University of Northwestern Ohio has the honor of being ranked #9 in Ohio for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,519 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $17,878 per year for graduate students.
Gateway Technical College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
Not only is Gateway Technical College a great value, but it is also ranked #13 in Wisconsin for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $14,647 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $7,844 a year.
Macomb Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. Macomb Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Warren, Michigan.
Not only is Macomb Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #8 in Michigan for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $15,850 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $8,170 per year for graduate students.
Lincoln Christian University did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #11. Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lincoln, Illinois.
The average cost without aid for the school is $22,310 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $16,602 a year.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list. FVTC is located in Appleton, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Fox Valley Technical College is ranked #18 for quality in the state of Wisconsin. The average cost without aid for the school is $14,705 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $7,844 per year for graduate students.
Concordia University, Chicago came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in River Forest, Illinois.
Concordia University, Chicago has the honor of being ranked #5 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $44,740 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $19,808 a year.
With a ranking of #14, Waukesha County Technical College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list. Pewaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
Waukesha County Technical College has the honor of being ranked #20 in Wisconsin for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $14,447 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $7,844 per year for graduate students.
Elgin Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Elgin, Illinois, the school is a medium-sized public institution.
Elgin Community College has the honor of being ranked #29 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $15,141 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $5,625 per year for graduate students.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Not only is Ivy Tech Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #11 in Indiana for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $16,735 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $7,808 per year for graduate students.
With a ranking of #17, VanderCook College of Music did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list. VanderCook College of Music is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois.
The average cost without aid for the school is $37,300 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $15,230 a year.
Sinclair Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Sinclair Community College is ranked #29 for quality in the state of Ohio. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $13,440 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $5,364 per year for graduate students.
ranked #19 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list.
The average cost without aid for the school is $11,000 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $11,000 a year.
Lakeshore Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #20. LTC is a small public school situated in Cleveland, Wisconsin.
Not only is Lakeshore Technical College a great value, but it is also ranked #28 in Wisconsin for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $13,900 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $7,844 per year for graduate students.
Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #21. This fairly large public school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Milwaukee Area Technical College has the honor of being ranked #26 in Wisconsin for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $14,747 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $7,839 per year for graduate students.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Madison Area Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Madison, Wisconsin.
Not only is Madison Area Technical College a great value, but it is also ranked #10 in Wisconsin for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $21,009 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $21,009 per year for graduate students.
With a ranking of #23, Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Lansing, Michigan.
The average cost without aid for the school is $11,000 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $25,440 per year for graduate students.
Full Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School Value Report
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #24. Southwest Tech is located in Fennimore, Wisconsin and has a small student population. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is ranked #30 for quality in the state of Wisconsin. The average cost without aid for the school is $14,527 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $7,844 a year.
Learn More About Value at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global ranked #25 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list. Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Marion, Indiana.
Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global has the honor of being ranked #8 in Indiana for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $22,343 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $23,544 per year for graduate students.
Read full value report on Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region list. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College has the honor of being ranked #32 in Wisconsin for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $14,649 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $7,800 a year.
Not only did these schools make the top 49 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Best Value
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
| Rank | College | Location | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Danville Area Community College | Danville, IL | Value Report |
| 52 | Oakton Community College | Des Plaines, IL | Value Report |
| 53 | Central Ohio Technical College | Newark, OH | Value Report |
| 54 | Lansing Community College | Lansing, MI | Value Report |
| 55 | Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac, WI | Value Report |
| 56 | University of Wisconsin - Stout | Menomonie, WI | Value Report |
| 57 | Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids, MI | Value Report |
| 58 | Chamberlain University - Illinois | Addison, IL | Value Report |
| 59 | Schoolcraft College | Livonia, MI | Value Report |
| 60 | Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville, IL | Value Report |
| 61 | Union Institute & University | Cincinnati, OH | Value Report |
| 62 | Northeast Ohio Medical University | Rootstown, OH | Value Report |
| 63 | Purdue University - Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | Value Report |
| 63 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | Columbus, OH | Value Report |
All Majors and Fields of Study >
These schools also performed well in our Best Colleges for the Money in the Great Lakes Region ranking:
| Rank | College | Location | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | McCormick Theological Seminary | Chicago, IL | Value Report |
| 66 | Bellin College | Green Bay, WI | Value Report |
| 67 | Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL | Value Report |
| 68 | Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science | Cincinnati, OH | Value Report |
| 69 | The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago | Chicago, IL | Value Report |
| 70 | John Wood Community College | Quincy, IL | Value Report |
| 71 | University of Wisconsin - Platteville | Platteville, WI | Value Report |
| 72 | Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | Value Report |
| 73 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL | Value Report |
| 74 | Lorain County Community College | Elyria, OH | Value Report |
| 75 | College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | Value Report |
| 76 | National Louis University | Chicago, IL | Value Report |
| 77 | Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | Value Report |
| 78 | City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College | Chicago, IL | Value Report |
| 79 | Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg, IL | Value Report |
| Rank | College | Location | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | Western Illinois University | Macomb, IL | Value Report |
| 81 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI | Value Report |
| 82 | Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OH | Value Report |
| 83 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL | Value Report |
| 84 | Ashland University | Ashland, OH | Value Report |
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 26 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.