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2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

109 Ranked Colleges
5,292 Degrees Awarded
$6,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 43,003 people earned their degree in elementary education, making the major the 17th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 5,292 elementary education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 109 colleges that offered a degree in elementary education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great elementary education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the elementary education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The elementary teaching school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 38 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago also took the #3 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,500 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Elementary Education at UChicago

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 68 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIUC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UIUC

3

Out of the 109 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 92 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $5,752 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full IU Bloomington Elementary Education Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #9 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $2,670 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Elementary Education Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 105 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $3,981 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW - Madison.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UW - Madison

6
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 83 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, Purdue has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,995 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Elementary Education Report

7

With a ranking of #7, Sinclair Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $3,594 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Sinclair Community College

8

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - La Crosse is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 136 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

UW - La Crosse not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - La Crosse is $7,517 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full UW - La Crosse Elementary Education Report

9
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school handed out 217 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $8,273 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ball State Elementary Education Report

10

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 163 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $7,026 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full IUPUI Elementary Education Report

11

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 94 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

UW - River Falls also took the #19 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,438 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW - River Falls.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

12
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 137 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,949 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oakland University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Oakland University Elementary Education Report

13

Indiana University - Northwest landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Gary, Indiana, this small public school awarded 36 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for IU Northwest is $2,714 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Elementary Education at IU Northwest

14

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,068 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Elementary Education Report

15

Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Hammond, Indiana, this medium-sized public school handed out 55 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Purdue Northwest is $6,775 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Purdue University Northwest Elementary Education Report

16

Indiana University - South Bend landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is located in South Bend, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - South Bend is $5,504 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Indiana University - South Bend

17
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. PFW is a public institution located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for PFW is $7,414 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Elementary Education at Purdue University Fort Wayne

18
IU East crest
Indiana University - East
Richmond, Indiana

Indiana University - East came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IU East is a small school located in Richmond, Indiana that handed out 29 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend IU East is $5,516 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full IU East Elementary Education Report

19

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 49 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIC has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $10,549 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Elementary Education Report

20

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 61 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,047 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

21

Illinois State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 248 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $13,783 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Illinois State

22

University of Southern Indiana landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Southern Indiana is a medium-sized public school situated in Evansville, Indiana. It awarded 68 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for USI is $7,815 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at USI

23

Indiana University - Southeast landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Southeast is a small public school situated in New Albany, Indiana. It awarded 73 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,587 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Southeast.

Read more about Elementary Education at Indiana University - Southeast

24

With a ranking of #24, Indiana University - Kokomo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Kokomo is located in Kokomo, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Kokomo is $5,506 for great lakes region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Indiana University - Kokomo Elementary Education Report

25
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University Center, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 69 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,424 for Great Lakes Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saginaw Valley State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Saginaw Valley State University

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