2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Reading Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/reading-teacher-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong reading teacher education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 70 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value reading teacher education schools.
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2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in reading teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for reading teacher education in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Reading Teacher 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. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #2 place for reading teacher education. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $26,746. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $51,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #3 place for reading teacher education. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,194 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for reading teacher education. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $27,639. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $50,756. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in reading teacher education will find it at Northeastern Illinois University, which ranked #5. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $77,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #6 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $31,000. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Youngstown State University earned the #7 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Oakland University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. 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 $25,972 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $58,637. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,866 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $43,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #10 among the best values for reading teacher education. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #11 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $51,022. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Ball State University placed #12 among the best values for reading teacher education. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $49,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #13 among the best values for reading teacher education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $28,550. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Wisconsin Superior landed the #14 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $27,845. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $45,219. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.
Wayne State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $45,675. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #16 among the best values for reading teacher education. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $50,002. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for reading teacher education. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $43,003. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $27,000. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $39,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph earned the #19 position for value in reading teacher education this year. College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,150. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,273 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of College Of Mount St Joseph earn a median of $69,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $52,168. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $65,720. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis came in at #22 for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $59,586. That is a strong return on a $25,695 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Cleveland State University came in at #23 for value in reading teacher 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $26,336. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $51,122 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Alverno College landed the #24 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,086. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $34,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Alverno College generally make around $55,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #25 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $51,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for reading teacher education this year:
Narrow Reading Teacher Education Schools by State
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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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
