2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 147 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the elementary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $65,587 early in their careers. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #2. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $14,607. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $14,607 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Northwest earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $45,071 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,925. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,458. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Kokomo earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,885 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $40,553. That is a strong return on a $25,885 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Henry Ford Community College placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,365 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $17,481. That is a strong return on a $17,365 median debt.
Gogebic Community College landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $62,642. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #8 position for value in elementary education this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $48,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $16,335. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $45,522 early in their careers. Set against $16,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,145. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Vincennes University came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University placed #12 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $42,608. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,866 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $38,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #14 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,516. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $49,318 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University earned the #15 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,019 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $46,344. That is a strong return on a $29,019 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $29,854 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $49,526. That is a strong return on a $29,854 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Northwest earned the #17 position for value in elementary education this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University came in at #18 for value in elementary education this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. 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 $25,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $40,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Dominican University came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,485. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. Set against $24,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Southwestern Michigan College landed the #21 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,417 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,394 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $16,575. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southwestern Michigan College generally make around $43,153. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt.
Indiana University South Bend placed #22 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,128. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #23 position for value in elementary education 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, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $48,149 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus earned the #24 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ohio University Zanesville Campus generally make around $44,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $19,500. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 147 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 147 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.
