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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

40 Ranked Colleges
1,897 Degrees Awarded
$6,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Education is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 4th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 310,601 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,887 and had an average of $30,244 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 43,513 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,643 and $27,857 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 1,897 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,508 and $17,812 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 40 colleges that offered a degree in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Education Schools

The education school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#10 in overall quality

Out of the 40 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Gateway Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Steubenville, Ohio, and it awarded 171 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern Gateway Community College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Gateway Community College is $2,845 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Eastern Gateway Community College Education Report

#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This medium-sized school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 43 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Cincinnati State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is $3,756 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Cincinnati State

#3

Henry Ford College

Dearborn, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Henry Ford College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Dearborn, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s education degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

Henry Ford College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,460 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Henry Ford College.

Read full report on Education at Henry Ford College

#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Sinclair Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 62 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Sinclair Community College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $2,567 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Sinclair Community College

#5

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 40 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

MATC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for MATC is $7,340 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Milwaukee Area Technical College

#20 in overall quality

Cuyahoga Community College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 24 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cuyahoga Community College District, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cuyahoga Community College District is $3,635 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Cuyahoga Community College District

Lorain County Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Elyria, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for LCCC is $2,200 for great lakes region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at LCCC

#9 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $8,194 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Ohio State Education Report

#9

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 436 diplomas to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

Ivy Tech Community College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ivy Tech Community College is $5,397 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Ivy Tech Community College

#10

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Moraine Park Technical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Moraine Park Technical College is located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 associates’s education degrees to qualified students.

Moraine Park Technical College also took the #12 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,706 for great lakes region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Moraine Park Technical College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Education at Moraine Park Technical College

#11

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

Ferris State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Ferris is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 associates’s education degrees to qualified students.

Ferris not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $7,207 for great lakes region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ferris.

Read more about Education at Ferris

#22 in overall quality

Kent State University at Salem did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Salem, Ohio, this small public school awarded 24 degrees to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

Kent State University at Salem not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Kent State University at Salem is $5,765 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Kent State University at Salem

#13

Blackhawk Technical College

Janesville, Wisconsin
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Blackhawk Technical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Janesville, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s education degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

BTC also took the #21 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,759 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend BTC.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Education at Blackhawk Technical College

#14

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, Wisconsin
#18 in overall quality

Waukesha County Technical College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Waukesha County Technical College is a medium-sized school located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 35 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

WCTC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Waukesha County Technical College is $7,830 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Waukesha County Technical College

#15

Lakeshore Technical College

Cleveland, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #15, Lakeshore Technical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Cleveland, Wisconsin, and it awarded 15 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,739 for great lakes region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend LTC.

Full Lakeshore Technical College Education Report

#16

Gateway Technical College

Kenosha, Wisconsin
#24 in overall quality

Gateway Technical College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Gateway Technical College is a medium-sized school located in Kenosha, Wisconsin that handed out 25 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Gateway Technical College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $7,933 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Gateway Technical College.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Gateway Technical College Education Report

#17

Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, Wisconsin
#7 in overall quality

Fox Valley Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fox Valley Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Appleton, Wisconsin. It awarded 37 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

FVTC also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $8,385 for great lakes region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fox Valley Technical College.

Read full report on Education at FVTC

#16 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Clermont College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Batavia, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s education degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

UC Clermont College also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Clermont College is $8,017 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at University of Cincinnati - Clermont College

#5 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Blue Ash College is a public institution located in Blue Ash, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 53 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Blue Ash College also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College is $11,883 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fennimore, Wisconsin, this small public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is $8,167 for great lakes region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Southwest Tech Education Report

#21

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
#17 in overall quality

Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 26 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

CVTC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CVTC is $8,764 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Chippewa Valley Technical College

#22

Kent State University at Tuscarawas

New Philadelphia, Ohio

Kent State University at Tuscarawas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Kent State University at Tuscarawas is a small public school situated in New Philadelphia, Ohio. It awarded 22 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,018 for great lakes region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kent State University at Tuscarawas.

Full Kent State University at Tuscarawas Education Report

#19 in overall quality

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 54 diplomas to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

NWTC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,506 for great lakes region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NWTC.

Full Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Education Report

#24

Northcentral Technical College

Wausau, Wisconsin
#25 in overall quality

Northcentral Technical College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Northcentral Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Wausau, Wisconsin. It awarded 13 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

North Central Technical College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Central Technical College is $8,871 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full North Central Technical College Education Report

#25

Mid-State Technical College

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Mid-State Technical College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s education degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Mid-State Technical College is $8,223 for great lakes region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Mid-State

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Horadrim.

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