2026 Best Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

Our analysis ranked University Of Notre Dame the best school in the country for a degree in education. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 115 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Education graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $58,948 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for University Of Notre Dame

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in education, ranking #2. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 100 education degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Northwestern University earn around $60,947 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full education program report for Northwestern University

3

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in education, ranking #3. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 537 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $47,916 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,918 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 579 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $51,589 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans. Read more about the education program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the top schools for education. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 384 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $60,451. Students borrow a median of $17,080 to complete this degree. Read more about the education program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

6

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #6 for education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 1,022 education degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $50,328 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $23,372 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Illinois State University

7

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for education this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. About 624 education degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $45,234. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,533 in student loans. Read more about the education program at Purdue University Main Campus

8

Ohio Northern University
Ada, OH

Ohio Northern University landed the #8 spot for education this year. Set in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Ohio Northern University awarded about 22 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Ohio Northern University generally make around $56,878. Typical student debt for the program is $26,661. Get the full education details for Ohio Northern University

9

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #9 for education this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 582 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $51,232 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete this degree. Read more about the education program at Indiana University Bloomington

10

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #10 spot for education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 227 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $49,305. Students borrow a median of $16,335 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in education from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

11

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago placed #11 among the best education schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 179 education students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $59,591 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the education program at Loyola University Chicago

12

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for education this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 729 education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $47,922 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,973. Read more about the education program at Ohio State University Main Campus

13

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago placed #13 among the best education schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. Concordia University Chicago awarded about 759 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $64,288 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,552. Read more about the education program at Concordia University Chicago

14

Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University placed #14 among the best education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Appleton. Lawrence University graduates 77% of students within six years. Lawrence University awarded about 11 education degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $15,699. More information about a degree in education from Lawrence University

15

Trine University
Angola, IN

Trine University came in at #15 for education this year. Located in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Trine University awarded about 104 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Trine University earn a median of $54,881 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,765. Read more about the education program at Trine University

16

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #16 for education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 396 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $53,333 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete this degree. Get the full education details for Depaul University

17

Goshen College
Goshen, IN

Goshen College placed #17 among the best education schools. Located in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 50 education degrees were awarded at Goshen College in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Goshen College earn around $71,791 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the education program at Goshen College

18

Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI

Fox Valley Technical College came in at #18 for education this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Fox Valley Technical College awarded about 127 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $27,548 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Get the full education details for Fox Valley Technical College

19

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois placed #19 among the best education schools. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 58 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $47,714 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full education details for Wheaton College Illinois

20

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University placed #20 among the best education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. About 22% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 313 education students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $70,389 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,098. Get the full education details for Northeastern Illinois University

21

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton placed #21 among the best education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 382 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Education graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $48,318 early in their careers. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $22,448 in student loans. Read more about the education program at University Of Dayton

22

University Of Evansville
Evansville, IN

University Of Evansville landed the #22 spot for education this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Evansville graduates 65% of students within six years. About 62 education degrees were awarded at University Of Evansville in the most recent year. Education graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $59,618 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for University Of Evansville

23

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #23 for education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 497 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Michigan State University earn around $60,849 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,242. Read more about the education program at Michigan State University

24

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Rice Lake, WI

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rice Lake. There were roughly 126 education students who graduated with this degree at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn around $35,981 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,384. See the full education program report for Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

25

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis came in at #25 for education this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 288 education degrees were awarded at University Of St Francis in the most recent year. Education graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $63,830 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,642. See the full education program report for University Of St Francis