2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Our analysis ranked Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching in the Great Lakes Region. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,129 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $24,950. That is a strong return on a $12,129 median debt.

2

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

A rank of #2 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $15,865. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
Blue Ash, OH

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $29,867. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Students looking for strong value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $25,834. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $41,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,834 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

5

Kent State University At Tuscarawas
New Philadelphia, OH

A rank of #5 makes Kent State University At Tuscarawas one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the town of New Philadelphia, Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $21,637. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $25,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Kent State University At Salem
Salem, OH

Kent State University At Salem came in at #6 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the rural area of Salem, Kent State University At Salem is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Students borrow a median of $21,637 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Kent State University At Salem generally make around $25,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH

Eastern Gateway Community College placed #7 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,225, while out-of-state students pay about $6,071. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $10,642. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Eastern Gateway Community College generally make around $37,052. Set against $10,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $22,075 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $41,582. Set against $22,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

9

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University landed the #9 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,655 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $48,051. Set against $24,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

10

Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, OH

Shawnee State University landed the #10 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,448, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,233 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $42,878 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Bowling Green State University Firelands
Huron, OH

Bowling Green State University Firelands earned the #11 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the rural area of Huron, Bowling Green State University Firelands is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,131, while out-of-state students pay about $14,119. Students borrow a median of $13,090 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Firelands generally make around $45,610. Set against $13,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $21,313 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $34,737 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

13

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago placed #13 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $25,000. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.