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2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

62 Ranked Colleges
1,637 Degrees Awarded
$13,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” 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 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,637 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 62 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Education Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most 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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree education students.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Education in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Concordia University, Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 80 doctorate’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Chicago, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Education Report

#2

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Out of the 62 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Illinois State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Illinois State is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 doctorate’s education degrees to qualified students.

Illinois State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at Illinois State

#3

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Out of the 62 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #3 spot on the list. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 53 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Full NIU Education Report

#4

Ashland University

Ashland, Ohio

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ashland University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region. Located in Ashland, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ashland are $6,444, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at Ashland

#5

Marian University

Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

Out of the 62 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Marian University landed the #5 spot on the list. Marian University is located in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s education degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Marian University are $11,070, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Marian University Education Report

#6

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

With a ranking of #6, McKendree University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Lebanon, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at McKendree are $9,324, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at McKendree University

#7

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

National Louis University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 60 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

NLU also made our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at NLU are $12,096, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at NLU

#8

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

University of St Francis came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of St Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 30 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree education students list, University of Saint Francis has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of St Francis are $13,839, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at University of St Francis

#9

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Olivet Nazarene University are $13,393.

Read full report on Education at Olivet Nazarene

#10

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Aurora, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 32 degrees to qualified doctorate’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora are $13,200, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Aurora University Education Report

#11

Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cardinal Stritch University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Cardinal Stritch is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cardinal Stritch are $11,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cardinal Stritch Education Report

#12

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #12. This fairly large school is located in Big Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ferris are $7,908.

Read more about Education at Ferris State University

#13

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #13. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full WIU Education Report

#14

Xavier University

Cincinnati, Ohio
#25 in overall quality

Xavier University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #14. Xavier is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Xavier did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Xavier are $12,076, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Xavier Education Report

#15

Oakland City University

Oakland City, Indiana

Oakland City University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Oakland City is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oakland City, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland City are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Oakland City Education Report

#16

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #16. Loyola Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 doctorate’s education degrees to qualified students.

Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154.

Full Loyola University Chicago Education Report

With a ranking of #17, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s education degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300.

Full SIUE Education Report

#18

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

La Crosse, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UW - La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse are $20,038, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at UW - La Crosse

With a ranking of #19, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 17 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full BGSU Education Report

#20

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #20. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 33 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at Central Michigan University

#21

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #21. Romeoville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s education degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis are $14,780, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at Lewis

#22

University of Dayton

Dayton, Ohio
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, University of Dayton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. UDayton is a fairly large school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 5 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UDayton, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Dayton are $17,780, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at UDayton

#2 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 55 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#24

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, and it awarded 39 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State University are $15,346, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at Indiana State

#25

The University of Findlay

Findlay, Ohio

The University of Findlay ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Findlay, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 12 degrees to qualified doctorate’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Findlay are $17,407, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at The University of Findlay

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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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