The Best Value Midwestern Colleges

Best Value Colleges in Midwest for 2025

Explore the colleges that provide the best value for your money in the Midwest based on academic quality, outcomes, net price and financial aid. The rankings are calculated using ratings from the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges ranking factored against the typical net price paid by students - to identify the colleges that offer the best deals. Leading the list for 2025 as the overall best value college in the Midwest is Northwestern University with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $23,341 average net price. The highest value public state college is University of Michigan. Learn how the Best Value Colleges are calculated and ranked on our methodology page.
Midwest Public Private 4 year

254 results

Dominican University
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D
River Forest, IL

Dominican University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#73 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 3,424enrollment
  • $16,969net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 934-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Ball State University
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B
Muncie, IN

Ball State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#74 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 20,440enrollment
  • $13,017net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1250SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Indiana University Bloomington
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I
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#75 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 47,527enrollment
  • $16,282net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1400SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

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Cornell College
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C
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#76 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 1,084enrollment
  • $25,850net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1318SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Saint Ambrose University
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S
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#77 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 2,703enrollment
  • $23,578net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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University of St Thomas
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S
Saint Paul, MN

University of St Thomas

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#78 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 9,121enrollment
  • $32,637net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1223-1416SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Dayton
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D
Dayton, OH

University of Dayton

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#79 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 11,304enrollment
  • $31,551net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1195-1370SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Olivet Nazarene University
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O
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#80 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 3,275enrollment
  • $22,707net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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S
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#81 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 11,359enrollment
  • $16,131net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Taylor University
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T
Upland, IN

Taylor University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#82 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 2,398enrollment
  • $25,698net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1340SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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Clarke University
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C
Dubuque, IA
 

Clarke University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#83 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 1,025enrollment
  • $25,692net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1045SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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University of Iowa
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I
Iowa City, IA

University of Iowa

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#84 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 30,042enrollment
  • $20,121net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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University of Missouri Columbia
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M
Columbia, MO

University of Missouri Columbia

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#85 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 31,013enrollment
  • $20,006net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.61Estimated Avg GPA

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Baldwin Wallace College
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B
Berea, OH

Baldwin Wallace College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#86 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 3,308enrollment
  • $28,190net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1285SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Denison University
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D
Granville, OH

Denison University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#87 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 2,405enrollment
  • $42,177net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1470SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.76Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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John Carroll University
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J
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#88 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 2,773enrollment
  • $30,790net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1350SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Marquette University
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M
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#89 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 11,373enrollment
  • $32,031net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

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Wisconsin Lutheran College
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W
Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#90 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 1,094enrollment
  • $22,809net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1300SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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