2027 Best Value Teacher Development & Methodology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Teacher Development & Methodology](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-development-methodology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for teacher development & methodology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Teacher Development & Methodology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher development & methodology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Teacher Development & Methodology Schools
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #1 spot for value among teacher development & methodology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dominican University earned it the #2 place for teacher development & methodology. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,924. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Bay Mills Community College one of the best values for teacher development & methodology. Located in the rural area of Brimley, Bay Mills Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,048.
National Louis University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher development & methodology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $42,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $47,995. Set against $42,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in teacher development & methodology will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #5. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $25,133. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #6 among the best values for teacher development & methodology. 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. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $31,000. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $52,586. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Superior earned the #7 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $32,774. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $45,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,774 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of St Francis ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher development & methodology schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $23,878 in student loans. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $70,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Chicago State University earned the #9 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $53,774 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Set against $53,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #10 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $24,477. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $51,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #11 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $28,687. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $48,843. Set against $28,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Ball State University landed the #12 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $24,655. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $48,051. That is a strong return on a $24,655 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Cleveland State University placed #13 among the best values for teacher development & methodology. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $39,226. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #14 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $22,785 in student loans. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $51,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,785 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University placed #15 among the best values for teacher development & methodology. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $52,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University earned the #16 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $31,000. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #17 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $44,178. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #18 among the best values for teacher development & methodology. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Students borrow a median of $24,823 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $32,421. That is a strong return on a $24,823 median debt.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $25,432 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $36,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
North Park University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher development & methodology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $27,360. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $46,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Mount St Joseph ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher development & methodology schools. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,150 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,343 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $43,888. That is a strong return on a $28,343 median debt. College Of Mount St Joseph admits about 59% of applicants.
Madonna University came in at #22 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,440. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $26,896 in student loans. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $56,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #23 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #24 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Bethel College Mishawaka placed #25 among the best values for teacher development & methodology. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Bethel College Mishawaka generally make around $45,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Teacher Development & Methodology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s teacher development & methodology value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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 35 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.
