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Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

155 Colleges
$17,344 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$43,621 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Education School for You

With 327,871 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, education is the #4 most popular major in the United States.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

The Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 155 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs offered the best value experiences for education students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for education majors pursuing a .

Top 15% Best Education Schools

Our 2023 rankings named Northeast Wisconsin Technical College the best value school in the Great Lakes Region for education students. Located in the city of Green Bay, NWTC is a public school with a large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NWTC are $6,849 per year. On average, education graduates from NWTC take out $14,150 in student loans while working on their degree.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fox Valley Technical College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Appleton, FVTC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

FVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,861 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, FVTC also is in the top 10% of our Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

Full Education at Fox Valley Technical College Report

The excellent programs at Northcentral Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best education schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the small city of Wausau, North Central Technical College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at North Central Technical College are $5,415 a year. The average amount in student loans that education majors at North Central Technical College take out is $9,750.

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$6,603 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Waukesha County Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. WCTC is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Pewaukee.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WCTC are $6,603 a year. The average amount in student loans that education majors at WCTC take out is $21,626.

Full Education at Waukesha County Technical College Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Sinclair Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Sinclair Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,076 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, education graduates from Sinclair Community College carry an average student debtload of $12,064.

Read full report on Education at Sinclair Community College

#6

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value education programs. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public school with a very large student population.

Ivy Tech Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,927 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that education majors at Ivy Tech Community College take out is $12,704.

In addition to its great value ranking, Ivy Tech Community College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Full Education at Ivy Tech Community College Report

#7

Viterbo University

La Crosse, WI

With a ranking of #7, Viterbo University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students. Located in the small city of La Crosse, Viterbo is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Viterbo are $29,920 a year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Viterbo is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

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#8

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, IL
$34,310 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students. Concordia University, Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of River Forest.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Concordia University, Chicago are $34,310 a year. On average, education graduates from Concordia University, Chicago take out $25,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Education at Concordia University, Chicago Report

#9

Stark State College

North Canton, OH
$7,406 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, Stark State College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a public college with a large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Stark State College are $7,406 per year. On average, education graduates from Stark State College take out $17,747 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#10

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Lutheran College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value education programs. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, WLC is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WLC are $32,766 a year. Education majors at WLC take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, WLC also did well on our Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#11

Ashland University

Ashland, OH
$23,090 Average Tuition & Fees

Ashland University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Ashland undergraduate students pay an average of $23,090 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, education graduates from Ashland carry an average student debtload of $26,833.

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#12

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI
$13,188 Average Tuition & Fees

Ferris State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for education students. It came in at #12 on the list. Ferris is a fairly large public school located in the town of Big Rapids.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Ferris are $13,188 a year. The average amount in student loans that education majors at Ferris take out is $29,926.

Full Education at Ferris State University Report

$9,239 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students. Located in the rural area of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

IWU undergraduate students pay an average of $9,239 in tuition and fees each year. Education majors at IWU take out an average of $25,271 in student loans while working on their egree.

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University of St Francis landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value education programs. University of Saint Francis is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Joliet.

University of Saint Francis undergraduate students pay an average of $35,000 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, education majors at University of Saint Francis accumulate an average of around $23,878 in student debt.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, University of Saint Francis also did well on our Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#15

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL
$37,440 Average Tuition & Fees

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Olivet Nazarene undergraduate students pay an average of $37,440 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, education majors at Olivet Nazarene accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

Read full report on Education at Olivet Nazarene University

$15,240 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value education programs. SIUC is a large public school located in the small city of Carbondale.

SIUC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, education majors at SIUC accumulate an average of around $19,901 in student debt.

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$14,738 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Illinois University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. NIU is a large public school located in the small suburb of Dekalb.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at NIU are $14,738 a year. On average, education graduates from NIU take out $23,882 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $235, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#17

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH
$9,732 Average Tuition & Fees

Youngstown State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a public college with a large student population.

Youngstown State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,732 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, education majors at Youngstown State University accumulate an average of around $29,290 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $193, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#19

Alverno College

Milwaukee, WI
$31,258 Average Tuition & Fees

Alverno College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value education programs. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, Alverno is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Alverno are $31,258 a year. Education majors at Alverno take out an average of $32,750 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Education at Alverno College Report

University of Cincinnati - Clermont College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the suburb of Batavia, UC Clermont College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UC Clermont College are $13,198 a year. Education majors at UC Clermont College take out an average of $15,175 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Education at University of Cincinnati - Clermont College Report

$14,169 Average Tuition & Fees

National Louis University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. NLU is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at NLU are $14,169 a year. After completing their degree, education graduates from NLU carry an average student debtload of $41,606.

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$11,496 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value education programs. SIUE is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Edwardsville.

SIUE undergraduate students pay an average of $11,496 in tuition and fees each year. Education majors at SIUE take out an average of $22,125 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $184.

Full Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Report

#23

Muskingum University

New Concord, OH
$30,090 Average Tuition & Fees

Muskingum University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Muskingum is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of New Concord.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Muskingum are $30,090 per year. On average, education graduates from Muskingum take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Education at Muskingum University

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
24 McKendree University Lebanon, IL
25 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
25 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
27 University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WI
28 Concordia University, Wisconsin Mequon, WI
29 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
30 Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MI
31 Cardinal Stritch University Milwaukee, WI

Best Education Colleges by State

Explore the best education colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.

State Degrees Awarded
Indiana 11,570
Michigan 5,939
Ohio 9,238
Illinois 10,567
Wisconsin 5,792

Education Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 110,226
Educational Administration 46,469
Teacher Education Subject Specific 43,297
Special Education 36,792
General Education 29,810
Curriculum & Instruction 19,832
Student Counseling 13,858
Instructional Media Design 8,695
Teaching English or French 5,791
Other Education 4,858
Teaching Assistants 2,751
Educational Assessment 2,552
Multilingual Education 1,910
Education Philosophy 737
International Education 293

Related Major Annual Graduates
Social Sciences 205,984
Psychology 195,678
Communication & Journalism 120,571
Family, Consumer & Human Sciences 55,820
History 32,731

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 26 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Horadrim.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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