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.


254 results

Winona State University
W
Winona, MN

Winona State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#145 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 6,058enrollment
  • $18,919net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 980-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

University of South Dakota
S
Vermillion, SD

University of South Dakota

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#146 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 9,868enrollment
  • $18,466net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1330SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

University of Wisconsin La Crosse
W
La Crosse, WI

University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#147 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 10,299enrollment
  • $13,125net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

South Dakota State University
S
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#148 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 11,498enrollment
  • $18,233net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
W
Eau Claire, WI

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#149 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 9,991enrollment
  • $15,323net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

School of the Art Institute of Chicago
S
Chicago, IL

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#150 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 3,401enrollment
  • $55,485net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1048-1260SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 15

Aurora University
A
Aurora, IL

Aurora University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#151 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 5,935enrollment
  • $19,220net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 930-1133SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Chicago State University
C
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#152 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 2,324enrollment
  • $9,852net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

Concordia University Chicago
C
River Forest, IL
 

Concordia University Chicago

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#153 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 5,066enrollment
  • $17,767net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 990-1180SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

Eastern Illinois University
E
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#154 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 8,804enrollment
  • $14,621net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Greenville University
G
Greenville, IL

Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#155 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 1,053enrollment
  • $21,442net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 811-1219SAT range
  • 14-24ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Judson University
J
Elgin, IL

Judson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#156 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 1,058enrollment
  • $21,331net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 860-1080SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

North Park University
N
Chicago, IL

North Park University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#157 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 2,624enrollment
  • $19,910net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 890-1162SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Northeastern Illinois University
N
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#158 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 5,504enrollment
  • $14,669net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Quincy University
Q
Quincy, IL

Quincy University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#159 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 1,280enrollment
  • $17,424net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Rockford University
R
Rockford, IL
 

Rockford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#160 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 1,249enrollment
  • $24,098net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Saint Xavier University
S
Chicago, IL
 

Saint Xavier University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#161 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 3,457enrollment
  • $11,943net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Western Illinois University
W
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#162 Best Value in the Midwest

  • 7,073enrollment
  • $12,168net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA