2026 Best Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame tops our 2026 ranking of the best teacher education schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 78 teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $49,822. Typical student debt for the program is $19,891. More information about a degree in teacher education from University Of Notre Dame

2

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 19 teacher education degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $48,105. Students borrow a median of $24,064 to complete this degree. Read more about the teacher education program at Elmhurst College

3

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

A rank of #3 makes Bowling Green State University Main Campus one of the top schools for teacher education. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 72 teacher education students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $40,271. Typical student debt for the program is $19,545. More information about a degree in teacher education from Bowling Green State University Main Campus

4

Lakeland College
Plymouth, WI

A rank of #4 makes Lakeland College one of the top schools for teacher education. Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Plymouth. Lakeland College graduates 42% of students within six years. Lakeland College awarded about 12 teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their teacher education degree from Lakeland College earn around $52,412 in the first couple years of their career. Lakeland College graduates carry a median of $29,722 in student loans. Get the full teacher education details for Lakeland College

5

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

A rank of #5 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the top schools for teacher education. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 teacher education students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Teacher Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $38,830 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete this degree. See the full teacher education program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

6

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best teacher education schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Toledo awarded about 14 teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their teacher education degree from University Of Toledo earn around $39,947 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $24,100 in student loans. More information about a degree in teacher education from University Of Toledo

7

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College came in at #7 for teacher education this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Sinclair Community College awarded about 25 teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their teacher education degree from Sinclair Community College earn around $24,950 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,129 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in teacher education from Sinclair Community College

8

Marian University Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

Marian University Indiana placed #8 among the best teacher education schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Marian University Indiana awarded about 48 teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Marian University Indiana generally make around $46,587. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full teacher education program report for Marian University Indiana

9

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #9 spot for teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 89 teacher education students who graduated with this degree at Saginaw Valley State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their teacher education degree from Saginaw Valley State University earn around $48,149 in the first couple years of their career. Saginaw Valley State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full teacher education program report for Saginaw Valley State University

10

Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College came in at #10 for teacher education this year. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. About 32 teacher education degrees were awarded at Owens Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $22,645. Owens Community College graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in teacher education from Owens Community College

11

Alpena Community College
Alpena, MI

Alpena Community College placed #11 among the best teacher education schools. Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpena. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 teacher education degrees were awarded at Alpena Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the teacher education program make about $45,132 in their early career. Alpena Community College graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. See the full teacher education program report for Alpena Community College

12

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global came in at #12 for teacher education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. About 33% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 teacher education students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Global in the most recent data year. Teacher Education graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $32,164 early in their careers. Purdue University Global graduates carry a median of $57,500 in student loans. Get the full teacher education details for Purdue University Global