DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value Science Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in science education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Science Education Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value science education schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $17,125. Early-career science education graduates make about $58,732. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #2 place for science education. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $27,194. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Set against $27,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in science education will find it at Indiana State University, which ranked #3. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $45,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,498 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $47,733 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 #5 makes Augustana College Illinois one of the best values for science education. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $45,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
ADBLOCK #101
Ball State University came in at #6 for value in science education this year. 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, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $24,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. That is a strong return on a $24,998 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in science education this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $28,866. Early-career science education graduates make about $38,821. Set against $28,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Youngstown State University landed the #8 spot for science education value this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #9 position for value in science 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $31,000. Early-career science education graduates make about $52,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $51,022. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #11 spot for science education value this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Science Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $49,223. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #12 among the best values for science education. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $28,550. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,021. Set against $28,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Central Michigan University came in at #13 for value in science education this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Science Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $52,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis landed the #14 spot for science education value 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. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $25,695. Early-career science education graduates make about $59,586. That is a strong return on a $25,695 median debt. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Alverno College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,086. Students borrow a median of $34,425 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $55,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #16 among the best values for science education. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,225 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $43,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for science education. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $39,613. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $43,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University earned the #19 position for value in science education this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,336. Science Education graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $51,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Albion College landed the #20 spot for science education value this year. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Students borrow a median of $26,047 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Albion College earn a median of $40,829 early in their careers. Set against $26,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #21 among the best values for science education. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Science Education graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $64,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University earned the #22 position for value in science education this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $27,000. Early-career science education graduates make about $48,767. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $46,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University earned the #24 position for value in science education this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,382. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #25 position for value in science education this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,750. Early-career science education graduates make about $47,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Science Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for science education this year:
Narrow Science Education Schools by State
[Science Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong science education education at a price that pays off.
