2026 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Mathematics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/mathematics-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 98 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mathematics education schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mathematics education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mathematics Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for mathematics education in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $23,981. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics education will find it at Saint Xavier University, which ranked #3. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $27,194 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $46,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the mathematics education program here. Mathematics Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $51,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mathematics education, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the mathematics education program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #6 spot for mathematics education value this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,498 to complete the mathematics education program here. Mathematics Education graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $43,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,498 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $27,000. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $45,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University placed #8 among the best values for mathematics education. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the mathematics education program here. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $49,745. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Augustana College Illinois ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $45,145. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #10 among the best values for mathematics education. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $52,656. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Youngstown State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the mathematics education program here. Mathematics Education graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $33,398 early in their careers. Set against $26,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ferris State University came in at #12 for value in mathematics education this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $29,076. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $44,977. Set against $29,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #13 position for value in mathematics education this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $51,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University placed #14 among the best values for mathematics education. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $29,242. Mathematics Education graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #15 position for value in mathematics education this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $21,182 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $51,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #16 for value in mathematics education this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $28,550. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $50,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Central Michigan University earned the #17 position for value in mathematics education this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $52,168. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis landed the #18 spot for mathematics education value this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $25,695. Mathematics Education graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $59,586 early in their careers. Set against $25,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $32,807. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $53,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #20 for value in mathematics education this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $39,613. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics 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. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the mathematics education program here. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $43,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Cleveland State University earned the #22 position for value in mathematics education this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $26,336. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,648. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Alverno College came in at #23 for value in mathematics education this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,086. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $34,425. Mathematics Education graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $55,790 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #24 spot for mathematics education value this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $51,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Christian College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,605. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $27,000. Mathematics Education graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $44,538 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mathematics education this year:
Narrow Mathematics Education Schools by State
More Mathematics Education Rankings
View All Mathematics Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 98 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
