2027 Best Value Education Schools in Michigan
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Henry Ford Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value education schools in Michigan. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,365 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $17,481. Set against $17,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for education. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $14,607 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,607 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Bay Mills Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Brimley, Bay Mills Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,048.
Muskegon Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,928. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $48,267. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Gogebic Community College one of the best values for education. Set in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $7,530. Education graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $62,642. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,216. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $43,595. That is a strong return on a $31,216 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southwestern Michigan College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, while out-of-state students pay about $8,394. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southwestern Michigan College generally make around $43,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University came in at #9 for value in education this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,246. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $47,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Oakland University came in at #10 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,019. Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $55,962 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $52,121. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #12 for value in education this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Education graduates carry a median of $16,335 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $48,760. Set against $16,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Mid Michigan Community College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Harrison, Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,132 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,864 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,878 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Mid Michigan Community College earn a median of $43,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,878 median debt.
Andrews University placed #14 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #15 for value in education this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Education graduates carry a median of $29,013 in student loans. Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,137 early in their careers. Set against $29,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University placed #16 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,386 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $52,002. Set against $29,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Lake Superior State University came in at #17 for value in education this year. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. Students from in state pay about $14,890 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $47,910. That is a strong return on a $22,429 median debt.
Northern Michigan University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Education graduates carry a median of $27,448 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $47,900. Set against $27,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Albion College earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,950. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,047. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $43,301. That is a strong return on a $26,047 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Western Michigan University earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Education graduates carry a median of $29,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $49,775. That is a strong return on a $29,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,762. Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $48,971 early in their careers. Set against $31,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #22 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for education graduates is $30,676. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $49,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Siena Heights University earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,790. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $52,293. That is a strong return on a $25,790 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Aquinas College Michigan earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,218. Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aquinas College Michigan admits about 90% of applicants.
Central Michigan University landed the #25 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,330 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $52,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
