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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Education in the Great Lakes Region

342 Ranked Colleges
45,404 Degrees Awarded
$27,100 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools Highly Focused on Education Major 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 “Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 342 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in education. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their education program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Education in the Great Lakes Region

1
VanderCook College of Music crest
VanderCook College of Music
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend VanderCook College of Music. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Education at VanderCook College of Music

2
American College of Education crest
American College of Education
Indianapolis, Indiana

Out of the 342 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, American College of Education landed the #2 spot on the list. American College of Education is a private for-profit institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3,997 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Education at American College of Education

3
NLU crest
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend National Louis University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. NLU is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1,158 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Full National Louis University Education Report

4
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

Out of the 342 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Chicago landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 987 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Concordia University, Chicago

5
The Erikson Institute crest
Erikson Institute
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 342 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Erikson Institute landed the #5 spot on the list. Erikson Institute is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 70 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at The Erikson Institute

6

University of Wisconsin - Superior came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Superior, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 292 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Education at University of Wisconsin - Superior

7
Greenville crest
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois

Greenville University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #7. Greenville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 103 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Education at Greenville University

8
RU crest
Rochester University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #8, Rochester University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Rochester University is a small school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 77 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Rochester University Education Report

9
St. Augustine College crest
Saint Augustine College
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Saint Augustine College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. St. Augustine College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 60 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Education at St. Augustine College

10
CMN crest
College of Menominee Nation
Keshena, Wisconsin

College of Menominee Nation ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Keshena, Wisconsin, and it awarded 8 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Full CMN Education Report

11
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Ball State is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,554 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Ball State University

12
University of Saint Francis crest
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. University of St Francis is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 334 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

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 St Francis

13
Cardinal Stritch crest
Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cardinal Stritch University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Cardinal Stritch University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 151 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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%.

Full Cardinal Stritch University Education Report

14
Trinity Christian crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, Illinois

Trinity Christian College ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Palos Heights, Illinois, and it awarded 104 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Trinity Christian College

15
Muskingum crest
Muskingum University
New Concord, Ohio

Muskingum University ranked #15 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in New Concord, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 118 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Education at Muskingum

16
MBU crest
Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #16, Maranatha Baptist University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Watertown, Wisconsin, and it awarded 66 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Maranatha Baptist University

17
Oakland City crest
Oakland City University
Oakland City, Indiana

Oakland City University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Oakland City University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Oakland City, Indiana. It awarded 65 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Education at Oakland City University

18
WLC crest
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lutheran College ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 87 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Wisconsin Lutheran College Education Report

19
Rockford crest
Rockford University
Rockford, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Rockford University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 86 students in 2020-2021.

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 Rockford University Education Report

20
Alverno crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #20, Alverno College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Alverno is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 204 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Education at Alverno

21
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #21. Olivet Nazarene University is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 399 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

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 University

22
BMCC crest
Bay Mills Community College
Brimley, Michigan

Bay Mills Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. BMCC is a small school located in Brimley, Michigan that handed out 52 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Education at Bay Mills Community College

23
NDC crest
Notre Dame College
Cleveland, Ohio

Notre Dame College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 68 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Education at NDC

24

With a ranking of #24, Ohio Dominican University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region list. ODU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 97 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at ODU

25

Concordia University, Ann Arbor landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 48 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Concordia University, Ann Arbor Education Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Union Bible College crest
Union Bible College
Westfield, Indiana
27
28
Marian crest
Marian University
Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
29
Edgewood crest
Edgewood College
Madison, Wisconsin
30
Blackburn crest
Blackburn College
Carlinville, Illinois
31
32
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio
33
34
North Park crest
North Park University
Chicago, Illinois
35
36
Defiance College crest
Defiance College
Defiance, Ohio
37
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois
38
AAC crest
Art Academy of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
39
McKendree crest
McKendree University
Lebanon, Illinois
40
Bluffton crest
Bluffton University
Bluffton, Ohio
41
42
43
44
45
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
46
47
Taylor U crest
Taylor University
Upland, Indiana
48
Quincy U crest
Quincy University
Quincy, Illinois
49
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on Education Major in the Great Lakes Region

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Viterbo University La Crosse, WI
52 University of Mount Union Alliance, OH

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Notes and References

References

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