2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong curriculum & instruction education at a price that pays off.
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
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in curriculum & instruction, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among curriculum & instruction schools in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #2 place for curriculum & instruction. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $21,999. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $52,308. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. 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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. 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. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #6 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,619. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $55,178. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #7 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Youngstown State University earned the #8 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #9 position 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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $49,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Ball State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. 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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University came in at #11 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $61,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of St Francis placed #12 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $66,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Central Michigan University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $27,857. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $57,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #14 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $25,347. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #15 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Concordia University Chicago came in at #16 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,956. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $67,571 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cleveland State University came in at #17 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,336. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,648. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #18 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $60,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #19 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $32,807 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $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. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,378. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $53,419. Set against $26,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University came in at #21 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,608. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,036. Set against $22,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Aurora University landed the #22 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $51,483. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Illinois State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $57,175 early in their careers. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Indianapolis ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,200. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,699. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $52,298. Set against $26,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University earned the #25 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. 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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 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.
