2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 181 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the elementary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Leading the list is Washtenaw Community College, our #1 best value for elementary education in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,607 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,332. Set against $14,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Springfield one of the best values for elementary education. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $44,458. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $16,750. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $65,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Vincennes University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,500. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Alpena Community College, which ranked #5. Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpena. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $17,365. Elementary Education graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $17,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,365 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $48,443. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #8 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Purdue University Northwest placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $45,071. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #10 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $29,867. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Southeast ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,145 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $48,032. Set against $24,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Kokomo placed #12 among the best values for elementary education. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,885 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $40,553. Set against $25,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,625. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $29,867 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Governors State University landed the #14 spot for elementary education value this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,500. Elementary Education graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $45,235 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,646 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,459. Set against $18,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #16 spot for elementary education value this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $43,128. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $44,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Indiana University Northwest landed the #18 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,497 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Western Illinois University placed #19 among the best values for elementary education. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,133. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Michigan College earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,417 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,394. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $16,575. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southwestern Michigan College generally make around $43,153. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #21 position for value in elementary education this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,612 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $51,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Indiana University East earned the #22 position for value in elementary education this year. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,866. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $38,610. That is a strong return on a $25,866 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #23 spot for elementary education value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,834 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $41,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #24 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,516. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $62,536. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $29,854. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,526. That is a strong return on a $29,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for elementary education this year:
Narrow Elementary Education Schools by State
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
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 · 181 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 100 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.
