2027 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 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 26 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Leading the list is Washtenaw Community College, our #1 best value for elementary education in Michigan. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $14,607. Elementary Education graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,607 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,365 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $17,481. That is a strong return on a $17,365 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Gogebic Community College one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Gogebic Community College earn a median of $62,642 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
Southwestern Michigan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, while out-of-state students pay about $8,394. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $16,575. 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.
University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $45,200. That is a strong return on a $32,810 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Ferris State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,608. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Oakland University earned the #7 position for value in elementary education this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,019 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $46,344. That is a strong return on a $29,019 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #8 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $49,318. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Mid Michigan Community College placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,864. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,878 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Mid Michigan Community College generally make around $43,078. Set against $18,878 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,335 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $45,522. Set against $16,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,000. Elementary Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $48,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,586. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Lake Superior State University earned the #13 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Michigan University came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. 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. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,346. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #16 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $38,634. Elementary Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $45,174 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Siena Heights University placed #17 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,778. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,790. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $52,293. That is a strong return on a $25,790 median debt. Siena Heights University admits about 69% of applicants.
Aquinas College Michigan ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,218 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $45,713 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Central Michigan University landed the #19 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Madonna University landed the #20 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,440 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,896. Elementary Education graduates of Madonna University earn a median of $56,984 early in their careers. Set against $26,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Spring Arbor University landed the #21 spot for elementary education value 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. Students borrow a median of $28,268 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Cornerstone University placed #22 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,000 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $45,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Alma College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,552 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,062 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Alma College earn a median of $45,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Rochester College came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Rochester College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,196. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,217. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rochester College admits about 98% of applicants.
Calvin College earned the #25 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education value ranking:
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
