2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Michigan
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Washtenaw Community College earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in Michigan. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $14,607 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. 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.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Alpena Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,132. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Southwestern Michigan College, which ranked #4. Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dowagiac. In-state tuition and fees average $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $43,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. 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 $62,536 early in their careers. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $30,500. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,335 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Lake Superior State University earned the #8 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $22,429. Elementary Education graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,429 median debt.
Mid Michigan Community College came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Harrison, Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,132, with out-of-state students paying around $10,864. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,878 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,019 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $46,344 early in their careers. Set against $29,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $32,810 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,200. Set against $32,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #12 position for value in elementary education this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,149. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $45,225. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $38,634. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $45,174. That is a strong return on a $38,634 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Madonna University placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,440. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,896. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $56,984. That is a strong return on a $26,896 median debt. Madonna University admits about 63% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for elementary education. 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 elementary education graduates is $30,750. Elementary Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $39,963 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Western Michigan University placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,346. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Aquinas College Michigan placed #19 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,218. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $45,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Spring Arbor University earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,014. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $28,268. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,080. Set against $28,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Rochester College placed #21 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Rochester College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,196. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,217. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,163. That is a strong return on a $25,217 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cornerstone University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $45,753. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Alma College landed the #23 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,552. Students borrow a median of $29,062 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Alma College generally make around $45,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Calvin College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $45,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College landed the #25 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,484 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,046. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for elementary education this year:
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
