2026 Best Value Education Schools in Michigan

1

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

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.

2

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

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.

3

Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI

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.

4

Alpena Community College
Alpena, MI

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.

5

Bay Mills Community College
Brimley, MI

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.

6

Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MI

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.

7

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

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.

8

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

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%.

9

Southwestern Michigan College
Dowagiac, MI

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.

10

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

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%.

11

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

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%.

12

Mid Michigan Community College
Harrison, MI

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.

13

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

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.

14

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

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.

15

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

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%.

16

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

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%.

17

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

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%.

18

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

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%.

19

Albion College
Albion, MI

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%.

20

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

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.

21

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

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.

22

Madonna University
Livonia, MI

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%.

23

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

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%.

24

Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

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.

25

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

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%.