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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Technology Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$26,780 Avg Student Debt
$58,090 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Technology Education Badge [Technology Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/technology-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong technology education education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for technology education students.

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2026 Best Value Technology Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in technology education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Technology Education Schools

1
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 best value for technology education in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for technology education graduates is $19,500. Early-career technology education graduates make about $44,923. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

2
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in technology education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Technology Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, technology education degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned it the #3 place for technology education. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Technology Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, technology education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $46,069. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

4

Ball State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value technology education schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for technology education graduates is $24,998. Early-career technology education graduates make about $49,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh one of the best values for technology education. 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. Typical student debt for technology education graduates is $28,500. Technology 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.

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6

University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #6 among the best values for technology education. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Technology Education graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, technology education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $64,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

7

Eastern Michigan University earned the #7 position for value in technology 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. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the technology education program here. Technology Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

8

Northern Michigan University landed the #8 spot for technology education value this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for technology education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, technology education degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $48,767. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

9

Western Michigan University came in at #9 for value in technology education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for technology education graduates is $29,000. Technology Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

10

Illinois State University landed the #10 spot for technology education value this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Technology Education graduates carry a median of $24,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, technology education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $50,102. That is a strong return on a $24,149 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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11
Lakeland College crest
Lakeland College
Plymouth, WI

Lakeland College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value technology education schools. Located in the rural area of Plymouth, Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,396. Typical student debt for technology education graduates is $29,722. Soon after graduation, technology education degree recipients from Lakeland College generally make around $52,412. Set against $29,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University earned the #12 position for value in technology education this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,250. Typical student debt for technology education graduates is $29,107. Soon after graduation, technology education degree recipients from Viterbo University generally make around $60,309. That is a strong return on a $29,107 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

13

Ohio Northern University came in at #13 for value in technology education this year. Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ada. Students from in state pay about $39,600 in tuition and fees. Technology Education graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Early-career technology education graduates make about $56,878. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. Ohio Northern University admits about 74% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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