2027 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Reading Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/reading-teacher-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong reading teacher education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 47 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value reading teacher education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in reading teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in reading teacher education in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $58,732. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Oakland University one of the best values for reading teacher education. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $25,972. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $58,637 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #3 place for reading teacher education. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,194 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saginaw Valley State University earned it the #4 place for reading teacher education. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,550 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,021 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,550 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at National Louis University earned it the #5 place for reading teacher education. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $65,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $52,656. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #7 among the best values for reading teacher education. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $45,675 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University landed the #8 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $26,746. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $51,839 early in their careers. Set against $26,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Western Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for reading teacher education. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $27,639. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $50,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #10 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,866 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $43,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of St Francis earned the #11 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $59,586. That is a strong return on a $25,695 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #12 for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $45,219. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #13 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $77,040. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Youngstown State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,751 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Set against $26,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #15 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $43,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University earned the #16 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $49,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University landed the #17 spot for reading teacher education value this year. 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. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $48,767. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #18 for value in reading teacher education this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $51,022. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #19 for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $27,000. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $39,613 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Cleveland State University came in at #20 for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $51,122. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $52,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #22 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $43,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph placed #24 among the best values for reading teacher education. College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,150. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $28,273. Reading Teacher Education graduates of College Of Mount St Joseph earn a median of $69,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Mount St Joseph admits about 59% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #25 position for value in reading teacher education this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $50,002. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s reading teacher education value ranking:
Narrow Reading Teacher Education Schools by State
More Reading Teacher Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
