2027 Best Value Science Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Science Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong science education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value science education schools.
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2027 Best Value Science Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the science education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Science Education Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among science education schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #2 place for science education. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,194 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Set against $27,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. 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 science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $45,862. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saginaw Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in science education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $28,550 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,021 early in their careers. 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 science education will find it at Indiana University South Bend, which ranked #5. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,498 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $47,733. That is a strong return on a $26,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $52,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for science education. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $28,866. Early-career science education graduates make about $38,821. Set against $28,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis earned the #8 position for value in science education this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Students borrow a median of $25,695 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $59,586. Set against $25,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University placed #9 among the best values for science education. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $24,998. Early-career science education graduates make about $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Albion College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,950. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,047. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $40,829. Set against $26,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Youngstown State University earned the #11 position for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northern Michigan University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. 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, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $48,767. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #13 for value in science education this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $51,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $27,000. Science Education graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $39,613 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Western Michigan University landed the #15 spot for science education value 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 science education graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,382. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #16 among the best values for science education. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $25,225 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science 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.
Cleveland State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,336. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $51,122. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #18 among the best values for science education. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Science Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $49,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #19 position for value in science education this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $46,732. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Madonna University landed the #21 spot for science education value this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,440. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,896. Science Education graduates of Madonna University earn a median of $56,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Madonna University admits about 63% of applicants.
Central Michigan University came in at #22 for value in science education this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $52,168. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #23 spot for science education value this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $51,796 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Michigan State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $27,437. Early-career science education graduates make about $60,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Bethel College Mishawaka landed the #25 spot for science education value this year. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,600. Students borrow a median of $31,824 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $44,496 early in their careers. Set against $31,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Science Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in science education:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
