2026 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teacher development & methodology students.
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2026 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
Western Illinois University earned the #1 spot for value among teacher development & methodology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $25,133. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $47,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for teacher development & methodology. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $26,516. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Bay Mills Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher development & methodology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Brimley, Bay Mills Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,048.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned it the #4 place for teacher development & methodology. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $22,785. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $51,489. Set against $22,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in teacher development & methodology will find it at Dominican University, which ranked #5. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #6 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $52,586. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #7 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $28,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $48,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ball State University earned the #8 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $24,655. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $48,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #9 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,812, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $32,774 in student loans. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis placed #10 among the best values for teacher development & methodology. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $23,878. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $43,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University earned the #11 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $39,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
National Louis University placed #12 among the best values for teacher development & methodology. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $42,172. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $47,995 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph landed the #13 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Set in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. 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. Set against $28,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #14 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $51,004. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher development & methodology schools. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $24,823 in student loans. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $32,421. Set against $24,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #16 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $25,000. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $49,911. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Alverno College landed the #17 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,086. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $30,584 in student loans. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $47,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Madonna University placed #18 among the best values for teacher development & methodology. Located in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,440. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $26,896. 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%.
Illinois College came in at #19 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Located in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,676. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $26,922. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of Illinois College earn a median of $41,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $25,432 in student loans. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Western Michigan University came in at #21 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #22 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $21,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $31,139. Set against $21,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Roosevelt University earned the #23 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $50,101 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Muskingum University landed the #24 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Located in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,701. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $25,215. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $35,861. Set against $25,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Viterbo University placed #25 among the best values for teacher development & methodology. Set in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,250. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $29,107 in student loans. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $49,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Viterbo University admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Teacher Development & Methodology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in teacher development & methodology:
Narrow Teacher Development & Methodology Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
