2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Our analysis ranked Washtenaw Community College the best value for a degree in secondary education in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $14,607 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,607 median debt.

2

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,925. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

3

Alpena Community College
Alpena, MI

A rank of #3 makes Alpena Community College one of the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.

4

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

A rank of #4 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,365 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $17,481 early in their careers. Set against $17,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,948 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $26,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University placed #6 among the best values for secondary education. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,500. Secondary Education graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo earned the #7 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. 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 secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $40,553 early in their careers. Set against $25,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

8

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #8 spot for secondary education value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $48,443. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

9

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

Indiana University Southeast placed #9 among the best values for secondary education. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,145 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary 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%.

10

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

11

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
Blue Ash, OH

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,625. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $29,867. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College
Batavia, OH

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,625. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $29,867 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,612. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $51,301. Set against $15,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.

14

Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN

Indiana University Northwest placed #14 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $48,497. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

15

Indiana University South Bend
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend placed #15 among the best values for secondary education. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,000. Secondary Education graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $43,128 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #16 for value in secondary education this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $16,335 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $45,522 early in their careers. Set against $16,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

17

Indiana University East
Richmond, IN

Indiana University East placed #17 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,866 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $38,610. That is a strong return on a $25,866 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.

18

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #18 among the best values for secondary education. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

19

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana earned the #19 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,510. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

20

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University placed #20 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $22,075 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,582. That is a strong return on a $22,075 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

21

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University landed the #21 spot for secondary education value this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,854. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $49,526. That is a strong return on a $29,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

22

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #22 spot for secondary education value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,834 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $41,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #23 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,516. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,318. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

24

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #24 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $30,500. Secondary Education graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $42,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

25

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #25 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $49,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.