2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 96 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Washtenaw Community College the best value for a degree in secondary education in the Great Lakes Region. 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, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,607 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,365 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $17,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Kokomo one of the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo 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 $25,885 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $40,553 early in their careers. Set against $25,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #4 place for secondary education. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,948 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $26,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gogebic Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,250. Secondary 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.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,925. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,458. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast placed #7 among the best values for secondary education. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,032. That is a strong return on a $24,145 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #8 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $48,443. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $54,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,335. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Indiana University East landed the #11 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,866. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $38,610. That is a strong return on a $25,866 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Vincennes University came in at #12 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Northwest earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Oakland University earned the #14 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,019. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $46,344. That is a strong return on a $29,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #15 among the best values for secondary education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,318. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $29,854 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $49,526. Set against $29,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus placed #17 among the best values for secondary education. 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. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of $44,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,050 median debt.
Indiana State University earned the #18 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #19 for value in secondary education this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,128. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Dominican University came in at #20 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,924. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus placed #21 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,050. Secondary Education graduates of Ohio University Chillicothe Campus earn a median of $43,704 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,050 median debt.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Southern Campus earned the #23 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,704. That is a strong return on a $23,050 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #24 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,485. Soon after graduation, secondary 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. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #25 spot for secondary education value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $50,601. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for secondary education this year:
Narrow Secondary Education Schools by State
More Secondary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 96 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.
