2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Michigan

1

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Leading the list is Washtenaw Community College, our #1 best value for secondary education in Michigan. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $14,607 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Set against $14,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for secondary education. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,365 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $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 secondary 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

5

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $42,608 early in their careers. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

6

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #6 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $29,019 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $46,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,019 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $16,335 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $45,522. Set against $16,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

8

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University came in at #8 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.

9

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #9 position for value in secondary education 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, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $52,586. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

10

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University landed the #10 spot for secondary education value this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $38,634. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,174. Set against $38,634 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

11

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University placed #11 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.

12

Madonna University
Livonia, MI

Madonna University placed #12 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,440. Students borrow a median of $26,896 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Madonna University earn a median of $56,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

13

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $31,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,346. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

14

Aquinas College Michigan
Grand Rapids, MI

Aquinas College Michigan earned the #14 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,218. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $28,000. Secondary Education graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $45,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

Rochester College
Rochester Hills, MI

Rochester College landed the #15 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Rochester College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,196. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Rochester College generally make around $35,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

16

Alma College
Alma, MI

Alma College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,552. Students borrow a median of $29,062 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Alma College generally make around $45,983. That is a strong return on a $29,062 median debt. Alma College admits about 57% of applicants.

17

Concordia University Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Concordia University Ann Arbor came in at #17 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, Concordia University Ann Arbor is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,410. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of Concordia University Ann Arbor earn a median of $49,291 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.