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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Schools in the Great Lakes Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$23,872 Avg Student Debt
$58,565 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Badge [Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship](/majors/education/educational-administration/elementary-and-middle-school-administration-principalship/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary & middle school administration/principalship education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary & middle school administration/principalship students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the elementary & middle school administration/principalship degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Schools

1

Ohio State University Marion Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools in the Great Lakes Region. Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public school located in the town of Marion. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $36,487. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Lima Campus earned it the #2 place for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Lima. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Ohio State University Lima Campus earn a median of $36,487 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Ohio State University Newark Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary & middle school administration/principalship, landing the #3 spot this year. Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $36,487. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.

4

A rank of #4 makes Ball State University one of the best values for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $24,518. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $63,782. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

5

Ohio State University Mansfield Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. Ohio State University Mansfield Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $23,000. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Ohio State University Mansfield Campus earn a median of $36,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.

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6

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for elementary & middle school administration/principalship value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $23,000. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,487 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

7

Concordia University Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. Concordia University Ann Arbor is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $35,410. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $27,584 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Concordia University Ann Arbor generally make around $54,043. Set against $27,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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