by our College Data Analytics Team
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value secondary education schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Washtenaw Community College the best value for a degree in secondary education in Michigan. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $14,607 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,332. Set against $14,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,365 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $17,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Gogebic Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public university. 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 secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $62,642. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $54,608. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Oakland University one of the best values for secondary education. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,019. Secondary Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $46,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #6 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $49,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #8 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,335 in student loans. Secondary 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Wayne State University landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $52,586. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University earned the #10 position for value in secondary education this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,508. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Michigan University placed #11 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $45,346. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #12 for value in secondary 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 secondary education graduates is $38,634. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Aquinas College Michigan placed #13 among the best values for secondary education. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $40,218 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $28,000. Secondary Education graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $40,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Madonna University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,440. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,896. Secondary Education graduates of Madonna University earn a median of $56,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Alma College landed the #15 spot for secondary education value this year. Alma College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,552. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,062. Secondary Education graduates of Alma College earn a median of $45,983 early in their careers. Set against $29,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester College earned the #16 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Rochester College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,196. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,217. Secondary Education graduates of Rochester College earn a median of $35,163 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rochester College admits about 98% of applicants.
Calvin College earned the #17 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary 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.
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.