2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
170
Ranked Colleges
45,404
Degrees Awarded
$15,400
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking - to help you make that 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.
This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 170 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and cost less that 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 in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 in the Great Lakes Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 170 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 987 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region education students list, Concordia University, Chicago has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $17,051 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
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
Out of the 170 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Sinclair Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 87 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Sinclair Community College is $4,959 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
Read more about Education at Sinclair Community College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Milwaukee Area Technical College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Milwaukee Area Technical College is $8,721 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
Read full report on Education at MATC
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 264 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW - River Falls is also in the top of our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
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%.
Read full report on Education at UW - River Falls
Out of the 170 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Michigan University landed the #5 spot on the list. Central Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 559 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Central Michigan also made our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $16,007 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.
Full Central Michigan Education Report
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 175 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $10,962 for great lakes region education students per year to attend NWTC.
Read more about Education at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 333 ’s 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 ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $14,654 for great lakes region education students.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Education at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
VanderCook College of Music ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 52 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for VanderCook College of Music is $25,393 for great lakes region education students.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full VanderCook College of Music Education Report
Viterbo University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Viterbo University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It awarded 506 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Viterbo is $20,201 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.
Full Viterbo Education Report
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 240 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Eau Claire excels when it comes to education quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $16,051 for great lakes region education students.
Read more about Education at UW - Eau Claire
With a ranking of #11, National Louis University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 1,158 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
NLU excels when it comes to education quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend NLU is $14,584 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
Full NLU Education Report
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,035 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,669 for Great Lakes Region Education students per year to attend Ivy Tech Community College.
Read full report on Education at Ivy Tech Community College
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 334 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region education students list, SIUC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SIUC is $16,285 for great lakes region education students.
Read more about Education at SIUC
Illinois State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 956 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $20,830 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
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%.
Full Illinois State Education Report
With a ranking of #15, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 630 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Northern Illinois University is $13,956 for great lakes region education students.
Full NIU Education Report
University of Wisconsin - Stout came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Menomonie, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 288 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stout is $15,589 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 UW - Stout
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 399 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $19,470 for great lakes region education students per year to attend Olivet Nazarene University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.
Read full report on Education at Olivet Nazarene
Alverno College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Alverno College is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 204 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Alverno is $19,437 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Alverno Education Report
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 503 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,417 for Great Lakes Region Education students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
Read more about Education at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Rasmussen University - Illinois came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school situated in Rockford, Illinois. It awarded 117 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Rasmussen University - Illinois is $18,908 for great lakes region education students.
Read full report on Education at Rasmussen University - Illinois
University of Akron Main Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 264 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,945 for Great Lakes Region Education students per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.
Read full report on Education at University of Akron Main Campus
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 213 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $14,462 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Education Report
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 298 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stevens Point is $13,346 for Great Lakes Region Education students.
Full University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Education Report
Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #24. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 267 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Youngstown State University is $12,225 for great lakes region education students.
Read more about Education at Youngstown State University
University of St Francis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 334 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,102 for Great Lakes Region Education students per year to attend University of St Francis.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 University of Saint Francis
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