TOP-RANKED PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES WITH THE BEST ROI: MIDWESTERN U.S. REGION

Another public research university with membership in the Association of American Universities and a "very high" research classification from the Carnegie Foundation is the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. The school boasts one of the highest in and out of state return on investment in the midwestern region. Indeed, the 30 year net ROI for out of state students is still higher than any other midwestern school on this list.

U.S. News Ranking: #11
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $1.03 Million
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $968,400

The school, commonly referred to as just "Michigan," is the oldest university in the state, established in 1817. Michigan was a founding member of the Association of American Universities and is a leading public research institution. The school boasts over 27,000 undergraduate students, over 12,000 postgraduate students, and 27 varsity athletic teams.

U.S. News Ranking: #4
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $901,400
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $802,200

This public research university has produced some of the greatest minds in recent history. Eight Nobel Laureates, two Pulitzer Prize winners, and two Vice Presidents of the United States are among the school's notable alumni-all of this from an accessible public school with the sixth highest main campus population in the United States.

U.S. News Ranking: #25
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $825,900
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $804,300

The University of Wisconsin is rated by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with a very high research activity, and was one of the founding members of the Association of American Universities. The school has been labeled as one of the "public ivies," signifying that it provides the highest level of education, coupled with the affordability of a public education.

U.S. News Ranking: #11
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $784,000
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $718,200

The University of Oklahoma offers over 150 undergraduate programs, and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with "very high research activity." The school is large, with over 20,000 undergraduate students, and is ranked first per capita for the number of enrolled national merit scholars.

U.S. News Ranking: #47
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $745,300
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $698,900

The University of Iowa is a public research university that is a proud member of many research coalitions, among these the Association of American Universities. The University of Iowa is devoted to establishing itself as one of the ten most significant public research universities in the country.

U.S. News Ranking: #29
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $678,200
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $610,100

Nearly one third of students at the University of Kansas participate in their extensive study abroad program. The University of Kansas is one of 34 public research universities to be a member of the Association of American Universities, an organization with just 63 members total.

U.S. News Ranking: #47
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $656,800
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $603,200

The University of Missouri is one of only 34 public universities in the United States to be a member of the Association of American Universities, which is an international organization that seeks to unite the top research universities in the world with the goal of maintaining a strong culture of academic research education.

U.S. News Ranking: #44
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $641,700
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $590,900

Ohio State University is one of the foremost public research universities in the country. With over 46,000 undergraduate students on the Columbus campus, Ohio State is one of the largest universities of this kind in the United States. Despite the massive size, the school has over 7,000 academic staff, providing a strong student to faculty ratio.

U.S. News Ranking: #16
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $635,000
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: $573,800

The University of North Dakota is one of the first major public research universities to offer extensive undergraduate programs online. One thing that should be noted about these programs is that online students are charged in state prices regardless of whether or not they live in state. The school has a great reputation, strong academics, is innovative in the field of online education, and is extremely affordable.

U.S. News Ranking: #97
In State 30 Year Net ROI: $615,000
Out of State 30 Year Net ROI: 572,000