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2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

24 Ranked Colleges
469 Degrees Awarded
$19,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Child development Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Early Childhood Education is the 34th most popular major in the country with 31,017 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 4,088 early childhood education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 469 early childhood education graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in early childhood education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality early childhood education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the early childhood education program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” list to help you make the college decision.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Early Childhood Education in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 masters’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Concordia University, Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Concordia University, Chicago

#2

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend National Louis University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s child development degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

NLU also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at NLU are $12,096, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full NLU Early Childhood Education Report

#3

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Park University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 2 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

North Park also took the #5 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Park University are $14,076, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at North Park

#4

University of Dayton

Dayton, Ohio
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Dayton. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 9 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

UDayton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UDayton are $17,780, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at University of Dayton

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Illinois University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s child development degrees to qualified students.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at NIU

#6

Muskingum University

New Concord, Ohio
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Muskingum University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. New Concord, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s child development degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Muskingum also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Muskingum are $10,260, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Muskingum University

#15 in overall quality

Concordia University, Wisconsin came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Concordia University, Wisconsin is located in Mequon, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Concordia University, Wisconsin also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Wisconsin are $11,460.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Concordia University, Wisconsin

#8

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

DePaul University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s child development students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DePaul, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full DePaul Early Childhood Education Report

#9

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

Central Michigan University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 13 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree child development students list, Central Michigan has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Central Michigan University Early Childhood Education Report

#10

Madonna University

Livonia, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

Madonna University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. Madonna is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Livonia, Michigan. It awarded 3 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Madonna not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Madonna are $16,200, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Madonna

#11

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

Northern Michigan University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Northern Michigan University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Michigan University are $13,660, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northern Michigan University Early Childhood Education Report

#12

Erikson Institute

Chicago, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Erikson Institute did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Erikson Institute is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 68 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The Erikson Institute also took the #8 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Erikson Institute are $22,400, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Erikson Institute

#13

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#10 in overall quality

Oakland University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s child development students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree child development students list, Oakland has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland University are $24,648.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Oakland

#14

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio
#21 in overall quality

Cleveland State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #14. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 8 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Cleveland State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Cleveland State University

#15

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Chicago State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Chicago State University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 3 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree child development students list, CSU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSU are $15,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at CSU

#23 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Flint ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Flint, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s child development degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

UM Flint not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Flint are $18,202, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UM Flint Early Childhood Education Report

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Kent State is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 7 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Kent State University at Kent

#19 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 14 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

UM Dearborn also took the #19 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Dearborn are $25,072, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Dearborn Early Childhood Education Report

#19

Ursuline College

Pepper Pike, Ohio
#20 in overall quality

Ursuline College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ursuline College is a small school located in Pepper Pike, Ohio that handed out 3 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Ursuline College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ursuline College are $22,192.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Ursuline College

#7 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #20. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s child development degrees to qualified students.

UIC also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Early Childhood Education Report

#21

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan
#12 in overall quality

Eastern Michigan University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 14 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern Michigan also took the #12 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Michigan are $26,552.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Eastern Michigan

#22

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#6 in overall quality

Western Michigan University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. WMU is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 26 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Western Michigan University

#23

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in University Center, Michigan, and it awarded 18 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree child development students list, Saginaw Valley State University has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saginaw Valley State University are $28,780.

Full Saginaw Valley State University Early Childhood Education Report

#24

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Wayne State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 2 masters’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Wayne State

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Vgrigas.

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