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2023 Best Value Colleges for Curriculum & Instruction (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

51 Ranked Colleges
2,820 Degrees Awarded
$11,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 19,832 people earned their degree in curriculum and instruction, making the major the 46th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,820 curriculum and instruction graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 51 colleges that offer a degree in curriculum and instruction. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality curriculum and instruction programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the curriculum and instruction program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The curriculum & instruction school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Curriculum & Instruction (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 174 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue is $5,995 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Purdue Curriculum & Instruction Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 97 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also took the #3 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $3,981 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at University of Wisconsin - Madison

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s curriculum and instruction degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,858 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIUC.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full UIUC Curriculum & Instruction Report

4
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #4 spot on the list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s curriculum and instruction degrees to 144 students in 2020-2021.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $6,927 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Michigan State

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s curriculum and instruction degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $5,752 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at IU Bloomington

6
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Ball State University is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 8 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ball State has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $8,273 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Curriculum & Instruction at Ball State

7
Alverno crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Alverno College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Alverno College is a small school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 20 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees in 2020-2021.

Alverno not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $17,790 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Alverno College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Alverno College

8
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana State University is located in Terre Haute, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana State University is $10,104 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Indiana State

9
NLU crest
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, National Louis University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 222 degrees to qualified ’s curriculum and instruction students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k list, NLU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,190 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend National Louis University.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at NLU

10
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 145 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees to qualified students.

Concordia University, Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $15,644 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Concordia University, Chicago

11

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 88 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC is $15,061 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Curriculum & Instruction Report

12
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

With a ranking of #12, Ferris State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ferris State University is a public institution located in Big Rapids, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ferris is $6,577 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Ferris

13

Illinois State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois State is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 51 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $13,783 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction 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%.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Illinois State University

14
WLC crest
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lutheran College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wisconsin Lutheran College is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees to qualified students.

WLC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WLC is $13,073 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Wisconsin Lutheran College

15
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #15, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 15 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State is $11,060 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Wayne State University

16
McKendree crest
McKendree University
Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. McKendree University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lebanon, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

McKendree not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for McKendree is $15,273 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at McKendree

17

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 13 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,047 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at SIUE

18

With a ranking of #18, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. GVSU is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 67 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $10,259 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Grand Valley State University Curriculum & Instruction Report

19

University of Toledo came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Toledo, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 16 degrees to qualified ’s curriculum and instruction students in 2020-2021.

University of Toledo also made our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend University of Toledo is $13,803 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of Toledo Curriculum & Instruction Report

20

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s curriculum and instruction degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $10,549 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at UIC

21
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

With a ranking of #21, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan University is $10,805 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Central Michigan University

22
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Aurora University is a medium-sized school located in Aurora, Illinois that handed out 13 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees in 2020-2021.

Aurora did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,571 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Aurora.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Aurora University

23

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees to qualified students.

University of Akron Main Campus also took the #17 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Akron Main Campus is $14,420 for great lakes region curriculum & instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Curriculum & Instruction Report

24

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SIUC is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 15 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees in 2020-2021.

SIUC also took the #22 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $11,665 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SIUC Curriculum & Instruction Report

25
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Lewis is located in Romeoville, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s curriculum and instruction degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,284 for Great Lakes Region Curriculum & Instruction students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lewis.

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%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Lewis University

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