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2024 Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

168 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
45,404 Education Degrees Awarded
$43,621 Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in education is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #4 out of 38 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual looked at 168 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 45,404 degrees in education during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Education School

Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region Your choice of education school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for education schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Education Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Education
Master's Degrees in Education
Doctor's Degrees in Education

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.


 

Best Schools for Education in the Great Lakes Region

The schools below may not offer all types of education degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Great Lakes Region Schools in Education

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
92 Education Degrees Awarded
$51,813 Median Starting Salary

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in education. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 92 education students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Those education students who get their degree from Northwestern University receive $8,192 more than the typical education student.

More information about a degree in education from Northwestern University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
567 Education Degrees Awarded
6.9% Growth in Graduates

Any student who is interested in education needs to take a look at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 567 education students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available. Those education students who get their degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign make $3,934 more than the standard education grad.

More information about a degree in education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
653 Education Degrees Awarded
$52,333 Median Starting Salary

Purdue University - Main Campus is a wonderful choice for students interested in a degree in education. Purdue is a fairly large public university located in the city of West Lafayette. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.

There were roughly 653 education students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent year we have data available. Those education students who get their degree from Purdue University - Main Campus make $8,712 more than the average education student.

More information about a degree in education from Purdue University - Main Campus

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
46 Education Degrees Awarded
$53,408 Median Starting Salary

University of Chicago is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in education. Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were approximately 46 education students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the education program at University of Chicago earn $9,787 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in education from University of Chicago

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2,554 Education Degrees Awarded
8.1% Growth in Graduates

Every student pursuing a degree in education needs to look into Ball State University. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were approximately 2554 education students who graduated with this degree at Ball State in the most recent year we have data available. Education degree recipients from Ball State University earn a boost of approximately $2,510 over the typical earnings of education graduates.

More information about a degree in education from Ball State University

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
608 Education Degrees Awarded
$49,636 Median Starting Salary

IU Bloomington is a very large public university located in the small city of Bloomington. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were roughly 608 education students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent data year. Education degree recipients from Indiana University - Bloomington earn a boost of around $6,015 over the typical income of education graduates.

More information about a degree in education from Indiana University - Bloomington

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
178 Education Degrees Awarded
$49,158 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #137 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Loyola Chicago is a great university overall.

There were approximately 178 education students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Chicago in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the education program at Loyola University Chicago earn $5,537 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in education from Loyola University Chicago

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
956 Education Degrees Awarded
1.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were roughly 956.0000000000001 education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent data year. After graduating, education degree recipients generally earn an average of $42,536 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in education from Illinois State University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
613 Education Degrees Awarded
3.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were about 613 education students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the education major at University of Wisconsin - Madison get $2,314 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in education from University of Wisconsin - Madison

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
987 Education Degrees Awarded
$59,272 Median Starting Salary

Concordia University, Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of River Forest. A Best Colleges rank of #170 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Concordia University, Chicago is a great university overall.

There were approximately 987 education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University, Chicago in the most recent data year. Those education students who get their degree from Concordia University, Chicago receive $15,651 more than the standard education grad.

More information about a degree in education from Concordia University, Chicago

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
367 Education Degrees Awarded
14.2% Growth in Graduates

UDayton is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Dayton. This university ranks 6th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 367 education students who graduated with this degree at UDayton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, education degree recipients usually make an average of $42,166 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in education from University of Dayton

11
Augustana crest
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
59 Education Degrees Awarded
25.4% Growth in Graduates

Augustana is a small private not-for-profit college located in the small city of Rock Island. This college ranks 21st out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 59 education students who graduated with this degree at Augustana in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career income of $38,064.

More information about a degree in education from Augustana College

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
114 Education Degrees Awarded
3.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Peoria, Bradley is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 14th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 114 education students who graduated with this degree at Bradley in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, education degree recipients typically earn an average of $38,439 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in education from Bradley University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
554 Education Degrees Awarded
$41,709 Median Starting Salary

Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public university located in the town of Oxford. A Best Colleges rank of #116 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Miami University - Oxford is a great university overall.

There were approximately 554 education students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year. After graduation, education degree recipients usually make about $41,709 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in education from Miami University - Oxford

14
Hope crest
Hope College
Holland, MI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
79 Education Degrees Awarded
$40,116 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Holland, Hope is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 8th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were roughly 79 education students who graduated with this degree at Hope in the most recent data year. After graduating, education degree recipients generally make around $40,116 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in education from Hope College

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
674 Education Degrees Awarded
$41,977 Median Starting Salary

Ohio State is a very large public university located in the large city of Columbus. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 674 education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, education degree recipients generally make an average of $41,977 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in education from Ohio State University - Main Campus

16
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
767 Education Degrees Awarded
13.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 767 education students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available. Those education students who get their degree from Michigan State University earn $8,413 more than the typical education grad.

More information about a degree in education from Michigan State University

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
248 Education Degrees Awarded
$45,258 Median Starting Salary

U-M is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 248 education students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career earnings of $45,258.

More information about a degree in education from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
708 Education Degrees Awarded
$39,787 Median Starting Salary

UC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Cincinnati. A Best Colleges rank of #166 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 708 education students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the education program make an average of $39,787 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in education from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

19
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
559 Education Degrees Awarded
$49,263 Median Starting Salary

Central Michigan is a fairly large public university located in the town of Mount Pleasant. This university ranks 10th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were about 559 education students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan in the most recent year we have data available. Education degree recipients from Central Michigan University earn a boost of around $5,642 over the typical earnings of education graduates.

More information about a degree in education from Central Michigan University

20
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
452 Education Degrees Awarded
13.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 452 education students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available. Those education students who get their degree from DePaul University make $6,380 more than the standard education grad.

More information about a degree in education from DePaul University

21
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
82 Education Degrees Awarded
12.2% Growth in Graduates

Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Wheaton. This college ranks 11th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 82 education students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the education program earn around $32,049 for their early career.

More information about a degree in education from Wheaton College Illinois

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,158 Education Degrees Awarded
20.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Chicago, NLU is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 17th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 1158 education students who graduated with this degree at NLU in the most recent data year. Those education students who get their degree from National Louis University receive $16,774 more than the typical education grad.

More information about a degree in education from National Louis University

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
385 Education Degrees Awarded
18.2% Growth in Graduates

UIC is a very large public university located in the large city of Chicago. This university ranks 6th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were roughly 385 education students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent data year. Those education students who get their degree from University of Illinois at Chicago receive $18,652 more than the typical education grad.

More information about a degree in education from University of Illinois at Chicago

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
456 Education Degrees Awarded
$45,963 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Kalamazoo, WMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were approximately 456 education students who graduated with this degree at WMU in the most recent data year. Education degree recipients from Western Michigan University earn a boost of around $2,342 over the typical income of education graduates.

More information about a degree in education from Western Michigan University

Rest of the Top Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region


 

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 Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
26 Saint Norbert College De Pere, WI
27 Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
28 Viterbo University La Crosse, WI
29 Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI
30 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI
31 Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL
32 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
33 Indiana Wesleyan University Marion, IN

Best Education Colleges by State

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

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Indiana 38 10,390
Michigan 38 5,598
Ohio 38 8,875
Illinois 38 10,126
Wisconsin 37 5,311

View All Rankings >

Education Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 14,087
Teacher Education Subject Specific 7,501
Educational Administration 6,938
Special Education 6,264
General Education 3,130
Curriculum & Instruction 2,820
Student Counseling 1,315
Instructional Media Design 1,004
Teaching English or French 510
Multilingual Education 501

View All Education Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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