2027 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 227 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
Leading the list is Cuyahoga Community College District, our #1 best value for education in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,564 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $30,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,607. Early-career education graduates make about $45,332. Set against $14,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Elgin Community College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bay Mills Community College earned it the #4 place for education. Bay Mills Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Brimley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,048.
College Of Dupage came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #6 spot for education value 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. Students borrow a median of $17,365 to complete the education program here. 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.
Sinclair Community College earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,129 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $24,950 early in their careers. Set against $12,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $20,710. Education graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $30,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Kokomo placed #9 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,885. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $40,553. That is a strong return on a $25,885 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Muskegon Community College placed #10 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. Set against $14,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Education graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $47,458. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,384. Early-career education graduates make about $35,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gogebic Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Gogebic Community College generally make around $62,642. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #14 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,080. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $59,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $45,078 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #16 for value in education this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $13,932 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $26,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,932 median debt.
Oakland Community College came in at #17 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,865. Early-career education graduates make about $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #18 for value in education this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,497 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $31,216 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $43,595. That is a strong return on a $31,216 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #20 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Students borrow a median of $15,835 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $27,209 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,835 median debt.
Indiana University Southeast ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Education graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $48,032 early in their careers. Set against $24,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #22 for value in education this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $27,548. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $50,908. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Southwestern Michigan College earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dowagiac. In-state tuition and fees average $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $43,153. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,458. Education graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $27,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 227 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 227 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.
