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2023 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

168 Ranked Colleges
45,404 Degrees Awarded
$16,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Education is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 4th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 327,871 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 45,404 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,621 and $25,804 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 168 colleges that offer a degree in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 92 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $15,686 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Northwestern University

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sinclair Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Sinclair Community College is located in Dayton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Sinclair Community College is $7,355 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Education at Sinclair Community College

3
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k list, UChicago has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,895 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Chicago.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Education at University of Chicago

4
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 653 students in 2020-2021.

Purdue also made our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $17,124 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Education at Purdue

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 608 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $20,234 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Education at IU Bloomington

6
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,035 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,123 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Ivy Tech Community College.

Full Ivy Tech Community College Education Report

7

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 248 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $17,207 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Education Report

8

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. This medium-sized school is located in River Falls, Wisconsin, and it awarded 264 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - River Falls excels when it comes to education quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $16,739 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - River Falls Education Report

9
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Ball State is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 2,554 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $19,563 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ball State University Education Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 333 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UW - La Crosse also did well on our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $16,472 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - La Crosse Education Report

11

With a ranking of #11, Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Milwaukee Area Technical College is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 94 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Milwaukee Area Technical College is $13,187 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Education at MATC

12
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 987 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Chicago, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Chicago is $18,308 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Concordia University, Chicago

13

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #13. This medium-sized school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 32 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,064 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Cincinnati State.

Full Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Education Report

14

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 567 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $22,400 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, 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.

Read full report on Education at UIUC

15

Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 32 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cuyahoga Community College District is $8,443 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Education at Cuyahoga Community College District

16
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Central Michigan University is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 559 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $18,135 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Central Michigan University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Central Michigan

17
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 428 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $16,142 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Oakland University

18

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a fairly large school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 240 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire also claimed a top spot on our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $18,816 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Education Report

19

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Stevens Point, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 298 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,503 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

Full UW - Stevens Point Education Report

20
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 237 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $16,786 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Saginaw Valley State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Saginaw Valley State University

21

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 613 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $22,377 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UW - Madison Education Report

22

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #22. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 503 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,253 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UW - Whitewater.

Read full report on Education at UW - Whitewater

23
Owens State Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, Ohio

Owens Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Owens Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Perrysburg, Ohio. It awarded 37 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Owens Community College is $12,536 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Education at Owens Community College

24

University of Michigan - Dearborn came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 136 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Dearborn is $17,197 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Dearborn Education Report

25
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

With a ranking of #25, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Ypsilanti, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 561 students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Eastern Michigan also did well on our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan is $18,563 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Education at Eastern Michigan

Rest of the Best 26 in Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26

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