2026 Best Value Education Schools in Michigan
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
Our analysis ranked Washtenaw Community College the best value for a degree in education in Michigan. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $14,607 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for education. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $17,365 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $17,481. That is a strong return on a $17,365 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Lansing Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,700. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Alpena Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Education graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Bay Mills Community College, which ranked #5. Bay Mills Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Brimley. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,048.
Muskegon Community College earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt.
Oakland Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. 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. Education graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #8 spot for education value this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $52,215 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Southwestern Michigan College landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,575. Education graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $43,153 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University came in at #10 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,246 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $47,528 early in their careers. Set against $29,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Oakland University came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,019 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Mid Michigan Community College earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Harrison, Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,132, compared with $10,864 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,878 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Mid Michigan Community College generally make around $43,078. Set against $18,878 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #13 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Education graduates carry a median of $16,335 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $49,305. Set against $16,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Superior State University placed #14 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Typical student debt for education graduates is $22,429. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $47,910. Set against $22,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,216. Early-career education graduates make about $43,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #16 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Education graduates carry a median of $29,013 in student loans. Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $29,386 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $50,586. That is a strong return on a $29,386 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Central Michigan University landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $29,330 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $52,008. Set against $29,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Albion College came in at #19 for value in education this year. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. Students from in state pay about $56,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,047 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Albion College earn a median of $43,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,047 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Grand Valley State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $30,676 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $47,361. That is a strong return on a $30,676 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #21 for value in education this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,762. Early-career education graduates make about $48,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Madonna University came in at #22 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,440. Students borrow a median of $26,896 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $59,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Northern Michigan University came in at #23 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Students borrow a median of $27,448 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $48,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Andrews University came in at #24 for value in education this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,314. Early-career education graduates make about $62,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $29,530 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,510. Set against $29,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education value ranking:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
[Education](/majors/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.
