2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/curriculum-and-instruction/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find the best return on investment for curriculum & instruction students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the curriculum & instruction degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 best value for curriculum & instruction in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $57,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $47,216. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Indiana State University one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #6 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $55,178. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #7 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Youngstown State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $49,025. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $49,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Ball State University came in at #10 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,518. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
National Louis University placed #11 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $61,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis placed #12 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $25,695. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $66,085 early in their careers. Set against $25,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Central Michigan University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $57,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $49,045. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #15 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $57,584. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $67,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University placed #17 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $49,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #18 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $60,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #19 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $32,807 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $56,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Valley State University placed #20 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $53,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University earned the #21 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $57,036 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Aurora University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,507. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $51,483. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $57,175. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Indianapolis placed #24 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,200. Students borrow a median of $26,699 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $52,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #25 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $63,979. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s curriculum & instruction value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
