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2023 Best Value Colleges for Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

56 Ranked Colleges
1,028 Degrees Awarded
$12,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and 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 Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching is the 197th most popular major in the country with 3,517 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,028 junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 56 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching programs and 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 junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools 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 #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 24 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC also made our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 43 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus is $7,068 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Ohio State Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Illinois State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 128 degrees to qualified ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students in 2020-2021.

Illinois State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $13,783 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois State University Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Miami University - Oxford. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 42 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at Miami University - Oxford

5
NLU crest
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, National Louis University landed the #5 spot on the list. National Louis University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees to qualified students.

NLU also made our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for National Louis University is $14,190 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at National Louis University

6
SXU crest
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SXU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SXU is $9,716 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at Saint Xavier University

7
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Romeoville, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lewis has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,284 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lewis University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.

Full Lewis Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Report

8
Alverno crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #8, Alverno College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 49 diplomas to qualified ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students in 2020-2021.

Alverno did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Alverno College is $17,790 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at Alverno College

9
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students in 2020-2021.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $11,015 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full EIU Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Report

10

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC is $15,061 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Report

11

University of Cincinnati - Clermont College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Clermont College is a medium-sized school located in Batavia, Ohio that handed out 4 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UC Clermont College is $7,808 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at UC Clermont College

12
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 3 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Chicago also took the #12 spot in our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,644 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at Concordia University, Chicago

13
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Bradley University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bradley University is located in Peoria, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bradley has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,588 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bradley.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 Bradley Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Report

14

University of Wisconsin - Platteville came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Platteville, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 15 degrees to qualified ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,887 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW - Platteville.

Full UW - Platteville Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Report

15

Northern Illinois University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 18 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

NIU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,395 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NIU.

Full NIU Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Report

16

Kent State University at Kent came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kent State is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Kent State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,793 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kent State.

Read more about Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at Kent State

17

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

Northeastern Illinois University also took the #15 spot in our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,989 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Read full report on Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at Northeastern Illinois University

18

Youngstown State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and it awarded 13 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $9,175 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Youngstown State University Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Report

19

With a ranking of #19, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 35 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

BGSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $14,079 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at BGSU

20

Wright State University - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 81 diplomas to qualified ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wright State University - Main Campus is $11,980 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at Wright State University - Main Campus

21

Western Illinois University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WIU is $12,265 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at Western Illinois University

22
University of Saint Francis crest
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Saint Francis has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,722 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of St Francis.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.

Full University of Saint Francis Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Report

23

University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Blue Ash, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College is $10,424 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Report

24
Trinity Christian crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, Illinois

Trinity Christian College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Trinity Christian is located in Palos Heights, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees to qualified students.

Trinity Christian also made our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity Christian is $17,958 for Great Lakes Region Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at Trinity Christian College

25
Cedarville crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, Ohio

Cedarville University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cedarville University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedarville, Ohio. It awarded 12 ’s junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cedarville, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cedarville is $15,439 for great lakes region junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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%.

Read full report on Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching at Cedarville

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