2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in Michigan

[Reading Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/reading-teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong reading teacher education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value reading teacher education schools.
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2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in reading teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
Leading the list is Oakland University, our #1 best value for reading teacher education in Michigan. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $58,637. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #2 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $62,536. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in reading teacher education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,550 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $50,021. Set against $28,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in reading teacher education will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $45,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in reading teacher education will find it at Central Michigan University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $52,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University landed the #6 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for reading teacher education. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $46,732. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University came in at #8 for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $48,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #9 for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $29,000. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,382 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Spring Arbor University placed #10 among the best values for reading teacher education. Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,014. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,360 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $48,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Calvin College earned the #11 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $26,022. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $42,737 early in their careers. Set against $26,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
More Reading Teacher Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.