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2023 Best Value Colleges for Early Childhood Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

89 Ranked Colleges
4,486 Degrees Awarded
$9,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 32,920 people earned their degree in early childhood education, making the major the 34th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 4,486 early childhood education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 89 colleges that offered a degree in early childhood education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great early childhood education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the early childhood education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Early Childhood Education Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Early Childhood Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 11 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Indiana University - Bloomington

2
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 89 schools in the Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue also took the #5 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $5,853 for great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Purdue

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,036 for great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. IUPUI is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 10 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $8,216 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at IUPUI

5
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Out of the 89 schools in the Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ivy Tech Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 601 diplomas to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ivy Tech Community College is $6,820 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Ivy Tech Community College

6
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 40 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,786 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ball State.

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 more about Early Childhood Education at Ball State University

7

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in River Falls, Wisconsin, and it awarded 10 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $9,478 for great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 Early Childhood Education at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

8
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oakland University is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,839 for great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakland University.

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 Early Childhood Education at Oakland

9

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is a medium-sized school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 32 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,880 for great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cincinnati State.

Full Cincinnati State Early Childhood Education Report

10
MATC crest
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MATC is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 94 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,079 for great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Milwaukee Area Technical College

11

Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Purdue University Northwest is a public institution located in Hammond, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,608 for great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue University Northwest.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Purdue Northwest

12
WLC crest
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lutheran College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s child development degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, WLC has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WLC is $17,520 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Early Childhood Education at WLC

13

University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Michigan - Dearborn is a medium-sized school located in Dearborn, Michigan that handed out 33 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn is $10,465 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at University of Michigan - Dearborn

14

With a ranking of #14, Madison Area Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Madison Area Technical College is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 71 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Madison College is $8,473 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Madison College

15

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 59 diplomas to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $10,390 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

16
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 94 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Illinois State also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $14,982 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 more about Early Childhood Education at Illinois State University

17

Cuyahoga Community College District did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 24 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,171 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cuyahoga Community College District.

Full Cuyahoga Community College District Early Childhood Education Report

18

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 27 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,825 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at SIUE

18
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USI is a medium-sized school located in Evansville, Indiana that handed out 14 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern Indiana is $10,440 for great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at USI

20

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 28 degrees to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stevens Point is $9,052 for great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

21

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 33 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UIC is $11,351 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full UIC Early Childhood Education Report

22
SXU crest
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SXU is $10,429 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Saint Xavier University Early Childhood Education Report

23
FVTC crest
Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, Wisconsin

Fox Valley Technical College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Appleton, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s child development degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,223 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FVTC.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at FVTC

24

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This fairly large school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 143 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,143 for Great Lakes Region Child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at NWTC

25
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 45 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,346 for great lakes region child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central Michigan.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Central Michigan University

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