2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Michigan

1

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in Michigan. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $14,607 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $17,365 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $17,481. That is a strong return on a $17,365 median debt.

3

Alpena Community College
Alpena, MI

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Alpena Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,132. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Southwestern Michigan College
Dowagiac, MI

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Southwestern Michigan College, which ranked #4. Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dowagiac. In-state tuition and fees average $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $43,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt.

5

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,516. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

6

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $30,500. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $16,335. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $45,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,335 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

8

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University earned the #8 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $22,429. Elementary Education graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,429 median debt.

9

Mid Michigan Community College
Harrison, MI

Mid Michigan Community College came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Harrison, Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,132, with out-of-state students paying around $10,864. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,878 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,019 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $46,344 early in their careers. Set against $29,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary 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, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $32,810 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,200. Set against $32,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

12

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University earned the #12 position for value in elementary education this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,149. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

13

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

14

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $45,225. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

15

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $38,634. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $45,174. That is a strong return on a $38,634 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

16

Madonna University
Livonia, MI

Madonna University placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,440. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,896. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $56,984. That is a strong return on a $26,896 median debt. Madonna University admits about 63% of applicants.

17

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for elementary education. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. 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 elementary education graduates is $30,750. Elementary Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $39,963 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

18

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,346. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

19

Aquinas College Michigan
Grand Rapids, MI

Aquinas College Michigan placed #19 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,218. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $45,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

20

Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,014. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $28,268. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,080. Set against $28,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.

21

Rochester College
Rochester Hills, MI

Rochester College placed #21 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Rochester College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,196. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,217. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,163. That is a strong return on a $25,217 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

22

Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $45,753. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

23

Alma College
Alma, MI

Alma College landed the #23 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,552. Students borrow a median of $29,062 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Alma College generally make around $45,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

24

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $45,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

25

Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College landed the #25 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,484 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,046. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.