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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

39 Ranked Colleges
614 Degrees Awarded
$21,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 40,622 people earned their degree in elementary education, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 5,199 elementary education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 614 elementary education graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 39 colleges that offer a degree in elementary education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent elementary education programs, but they also cost less that 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 elementary education program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

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

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 37 diplomas to qualified masters’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Elementary 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 University of Chicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago Elementary Education Report

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Elementary Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UIUC

#3

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 5 masters’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Indiana University - Bloomington

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Northwest landed the #4 spot on the list. Indiana University - Northwest is located in Gary, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Northwest are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Indiana University - Northwest

#5

University of Wisconsin - River Falls

River Falls, Wisconsin
#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 9 masters’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - River Falls are $18,233, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Elementary Education at UW - River Falls

#6

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

Ball State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 96 masters’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Elementary Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Ball State University

With a ranking of #7, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013.

Read more about Elementary Education at IUPUI

#8

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified masters’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Stevens Point are $19,178.

Read more about Elementary Education at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

#9

Indiana University - Southeast

New Albany, Indiana

Indiana University - Southeast landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Southeast is a public institution located in New Albany, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Southeast are $18,275.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Indiana University - Southeast

#10

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

With a ranking of #10, University of Southern Indiana did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Evansville, Indiana, this fairly large public school handed out 8 degrees to qualified masters’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern Indiana are $20,039.

Read more about Elementary Education at USI

#11

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

With a ranking of #11, Indiana University - South Bend did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - South Bend is a public institution located in South Bend, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - South Bend are $18,275.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Elementary Education Report

#12

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#20 in overall quality

Oakland University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Oakland is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, Oakland has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Elementary 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.

Full Oakland University Elementary Education Report

#13

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Saint Xavier University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Elementary Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Xavier University are $15,450.

Full Saint Xavier University Elementary Education Report

#14

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Lewis University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 24 masters’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Lewis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Elementary Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis are $14,780.

Read more about Elementary Education at Lewis University

#15

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Eastern Illinois University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

EIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Elementary Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Eastern Illinois University

#16

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

National Louis University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s elementary teaching degrees to 119 students in 2019-2020.

NLU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Elementary 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 National Louis University are $12,096.

Read full report on Elementary Education at NLU

#17

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

Aurora University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Aurora is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 5 masters’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora also made our “Best Elementary Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora University are $13,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Aurora Elementary Education Report

#18

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Western Illinois University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WIU is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 masters’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Elementary 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 WIU are $11,996.

Full WIU Elementary Education Report

#19

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wayne State University is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wayne State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Elementary Education at Wayne State University

#20

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Lake Forest College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lake Forest, Illinois. It awarded 4 masters’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Elementary Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lake Forest College are $14,896, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Lake Forest College Elementary Education Report

#21

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana State is located in Terre Haute, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Indiana State University Elementary Education Report

#22

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s elementary teaching degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Saint Francis are $13,839, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Elementary Education at University of St Francis

#23

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#22 in overall quality

Wisconsin Lutheran College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wisconsin Lutheran College is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

WLC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Elementary Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WLC are $10,080, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Wisconsin Lutheran College Elementary Education Report

#24

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

Concordia University, Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Elementary 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.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Elementary Education Report

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Northeastern Illinois University

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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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