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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Secondary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

54 Colleges in the United States
865 Secondary Education Degrees Awarded
$46,118 Avg Early-Career Salary

Secondary Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their secondary education programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 111 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for secondary education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Secondary Education in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Secondary Education

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in secondary education. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Get the full secondary education details for Northwestern University

2

Students looking for a strong secondary education program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 26 secondary education degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $45,522 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,335 to complete this degree. Get the full secondary education details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top schools for secondary education. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $49,947. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in secondary education from Indiana University Bloomington

4

A rank of #4 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the top schools for secondary education. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 secondary education degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $61,945 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full secondary education details for Loyola University Chicago

5
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in secondary education, ranking #5. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 secondary education degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of Butler University earn a median of $50,707 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full secondary education details for Butler University

6

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for secondary education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 22% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $51,301 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,612 to complete this degree. Get the full secondary education details for Northeastern Illinois University

7

University Of Dayton landed the #7 spot for secondary education this year. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $38,492 in their early career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $25,483 in student loans. See the full secondary education program report for University Of Dayton

8
Trine University crest
Trine University
Angola, IN

Trine University came in at #8 for secondary education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Angola. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Trine University awarded about 31 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Trine University generally make around $54,881. Students borrow a median of $25,765 to complete this degree. Read more about the secondary education program at Trine University

9
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University earned the #9 position for secondary education this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. Marquette University awarded about 17 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $45,806 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full secondary education program report for Marquette University

10

Ball State University landed the #10 spot for secondary education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ball State University awarded about 17 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $48,051 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,655. Get the full secondary education details for Ball State University

11
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University placed #11 among the best secondary education schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 21 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $54,551. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $24,197 in student loans. Get the full secondary education details for Aurora University

12

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 55 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $34,737 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,313. More information about a degree in secondary education from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

13

Roosevelt University earned the #13 position for secondary education this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roosevelt University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Roosevelt University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Roosevelt University earn around $56,418 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the secondary education program at Roosevelt University

14

University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Wayne. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne awarded about 11 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne generally make around $57,192. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne graduates carry a median of $27,520 in student loans. Get the full secondary education details for University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne

15

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #15 for secondary education this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $34,983 early in their careers. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Get the full secondary education details for Ohio University Main Campus

16
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lewis University awarded about 22 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Lewis University earn around $46,503 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the secondary education program at Lewis University

17

University Of Southern Indiana placed #17 among the best secondary education schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $41,510 in their early career. University Of Southern Indiana graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in secondary education from University Of Southern Indiana

18
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University landed the #18 spot for secondary education this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 18 secondary education degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $44,364. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full secondary education details for Xavier University

19

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 38 secondary education degrees were awarded at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $32,421 early in their careers. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global graduates carry a median of $24,823 in student loans. Read more about the secondary education program at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

20

Saint Xavier University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 15 secondary education degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $49,526 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,854. See the full secondary education program report for Saint Xavier University

21

University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #21 among the best secondary education schools. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin River Falls awarded about 10 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn around $43,258 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the secondary education program at University Of Wisconsin River Falls

22
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College landed the #22 spot for secondary education this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. About 11 secondary education degrees were awarded at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $26,301. Ivy Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $13,948 in student loans. Read more about the secondary education program at Ivy Tech Community College

23

National Louis University placed #23 among the best secondary education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. National Louis University graduates 30% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at National Louis University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from National Louis University earn around $47,995 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $42,172 to complete this degree. Get the full secondary education details for National Louis University

24

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #24 position for secondary education this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $41,090 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,834. Read more about the secondary education program at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne

25

University Of Toledo came in at #25 for secondary education this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. University Of Toledo graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $39,947 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,100 to complete this degree. Read more about the secondary education program at University Of Toledo

Rest of the Top 35 Secondary Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong secondary education education:

26
27
28
29
30
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
31
32
33
34
35
Alma College crest
Alma College
Alma, MI

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 111 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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