2027 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Mathematics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/mathematics-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 63 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mathematics education schools.
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2027 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mathematics education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mathematics Education Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among mathematics education schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the mathematics education program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $58,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for mathematics education. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,194 to complete the mathematics education program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $46,835. That is a strong return on a $27,194 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics education will find it at Indiana University Southeast, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $26,434. Mathematics Education graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,925 early in their careers. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #5 place for mathematics education. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mathematics education program here. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $45,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ferris State University earned the #6 position for value in mathematics education this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $29,076 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $44,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
National Louis University landed the #7 spot for mathematics education value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the mathematics education program here. Mathematics Education graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #8 spot for mathematics education value this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $28,550 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for mathematics education value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the mathematics education program here. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $51,105. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $26,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $43,058. Set against $26,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #11 spot for mathematics education value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $21,182. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $51,816. That is a strong return on a $21,182 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #12 position for value in mathematics education this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $52,656. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Western Illinois University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the mathematics education program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $50,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of St Francis earned the #14 position for value in mathematics education this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $59,586 early in their careers. Set against $25,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Ball State University came in at #15 for value in mathematics education this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $24,998 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $49,745 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,998 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $26,047. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $40,829. That is a strong return on a $26,047 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Youngstown State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the mathematics education program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $33,398. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University came in at #18 for value in mathematics education this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $48,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #19 among the best values for mathematics education. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Students borrow a median of $33,307 to complete the mathematics education program here. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $53,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics education schools. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $28,500. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $51,022. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #21 position for value in mathematics education this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $25,225. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $43,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #22 spot for mathematics education value this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $27,000. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $39,613. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #23 for value in mathematics education this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the mathematics education program here. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $48,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $64,700 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Cleveland State University came in at #25 for value in mathematics education this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the mathematics education program here. Mathematics Education graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $51,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mathematics education this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
