2027 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for curriculum & instruction students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at National Louis University, which ranked #2. 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. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $25,582. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of St Francis came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #5 on our 2027 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $21,999. 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 landed the #6 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #7 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $19,844. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $57,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #9 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,293. 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. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Youngstown State University landed the #10 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #11 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northern Michigan University placed #12 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,608. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ball State University landed the #13 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #14 spot for curriculum & instruction value 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. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,584. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #15 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $54,302. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $20,542. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. 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. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Lewis University placed #18 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #19 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #20 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $33,307 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $56,966 early in their careers. Set against $33,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concordia University Chicago placed #21 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. 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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $67,571 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Aurora University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Central Michigan University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $27,857. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $57,102. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Illinois State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $57,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #25 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $63,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in curriculum & instruction:
Narrow Curriculum & Instruction Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
