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Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region

155 Schools Ranked
$42,686 Average Earnings
$23,047 Avg Student Debt

There are so many teaching programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Teaching Degree Search has created its Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 155 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for teaching students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
$69,538 Average Earnings
$19,000 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Northwestern University to be the best school for teaching students in the Great Lakes Region .

Degree recipients from Northwestern accumulate an average of $19,000 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $576. During the early years of their career, Northwestern graduates make an average of $69,538 annually.

Read full report on Northwestern University

#2

Hope College

Holland, Michigan
$35,540 Average Earnings
$22,982 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Hope College is a great place for teaching students.

On average, students take out $22,982 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $821, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Hope, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,540 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Hope College

#3

Saint Norbert College

De Pere, Wisconsin
$42,644 Average Earnings
$22,124 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Saint Norbert College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best teaching schools in the Great Lakes Region .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,124 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SNC graduates make an average of $42,644 annually.

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#4

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
$43,693 Average Earnings
$27,023 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Wisconsin Lutheran College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best teaching schools in the Great Lakes Region .

Degree recipients from WLC accumulate an average of $27,023 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WLC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,693 during the early years of their career.

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#5

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois
$35,627 Average Earnings
$25,410 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Augustana College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,410 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $321. Once they receive their degree, Augustana graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,627 during the early year of their career.

Full Augustana College Report

$42,413 Average Earnings
$23,594 Avg Student Debt

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #6 on the list.

On average, students take out $23,594 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $165 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SIUC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,413 during the early years of their career.

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#7

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois
$43,102 Average Earnings
$23,212 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,212 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $401. During the early years of their career, Illinois Wesleyan graduates make an average of $43,102 annually.

Full Illinois Wesleyan University Report

$53,270 Average Earnings
$18,891 Avg Student Debt

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #8 on the list.

Degree recipients from UIUC accumulate an average of $18,891 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $415 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UIUC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,270 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#9

Calvin University

Grand Rapids, Michigan
$38,043 Average Earnings
$19,374 Avg Student Debt

Calvin University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,374 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Calvin graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,043 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Calvin University

#10

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
$60,805 Average Earnings
$28,383 Avg Student Debt

University of St Francis landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,383 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $332, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from University of Saint Francis, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,805 during the early years of their career.

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#11

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
$44,092 Average Earnings
$21,109 Avg Student Debt

Illinois State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #11 on the list.

On average, students take out $21,109 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $312 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Illinois State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,092 during the early year of their career.

Full Illinois State University Report

#12

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois
$40,224 Average Earnings
$23,457 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, North Central College did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

Degree recipients from North Central accumulate an average of $23,457 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $330. Once they receive their degree, North Central graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,224 during the early year of their career.

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#13

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
$42,330 Average Earnings
$21,871 Avg Student Debt

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

Degree recipients from UW - Eau Claire accumulate an average of $21,871 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $121. During the early years of their career, UW - Eau Claire graduates make an average of $42,330 annually.

Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Report

#14

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Green Bay, Wisconsin
$36,536 Average Earnings
$17,377 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

Degree recipients from NWTC accumulate an average of $17,377 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, NWTC graduates make an average of $36,536 annually.

Full Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Report

#15

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
$52,581 Average Earnings
$21,711 Avg Student Debt

Marquette University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,711 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $485, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Marquette graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,581 during the early year of their career.

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#16

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
$50,802 Average Earnings
$20,865 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

On average, students take out $20,865 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $336, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW - Madison graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,802 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Report

#17

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
$53,430 Average Earnings
$19,291 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

Degree recipients from Purdue accumulate an average of $19,291 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $358.After graduating from Purdue, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,430 during the early years of their career.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Report

#18

Carthage College

Kenosha, Wisconsin
$35,852 Average Earnings
$25,717 Avg Student Debt

Carthage College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,717 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $471, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Carthage graduates make an average of $35,852 annually.

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#19

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

La Crosse, Wisconsin
$43,651 Average Earnings
$22,366 Avg Student Debt

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

Degree recipients from UW - La Crosse accumulate an average of $22,366 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $158.After graduating from UW - La Crosse, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,651 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Report

#20

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
$52,822 Average Earnings
$25,068 Avg Student Debt

Bradley University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Degree recipients from Bradley accumulate an average of $25,068 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $575 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Bradley graduates make an average of $52,822 annually.

Read full report on Bradley University

#21

University of Wisconsin - River Falls

River Falls, Wisconsin
$42,815 Average Earnings
$24,659 Avg Student Debt

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #21 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Degree recipients from UW - River Falls accumulate an average of $24,659 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $115. Once they receive their degree, UW - River Falls graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,815 during the early year of their career.

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#22

Huntington University

Huntington, Indiana
$41,495 Average Earnings
$25,860 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Huntington University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

Degree recipients from Huntington accumulate an average of $25,860 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Huntington graduates make an average of $41,495 annually.

Full Huntington University Report

#23

University of Wisconsin - Stout

Menomonie, Wisconsin
$46,261 Average Earnings
$24,863 Avg Student Debt

University of Wisconsin - Stout landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

On average, students take out $24,863 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $157 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW - Stout graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,261 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Wisconsin - Stout

#24

Carroll University

Waukesha, Wisconsin
$48,098 Average Earnings
$24,527 Avg Student Debt

Carroll University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #24 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,527 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $394, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Carroll U graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,098 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#25

Alma College

Alma, Michigan
$36,745 Average Earnings
$23,308 Avg Student Debt

Alma College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Degree recipients from Alma accumulate an average of $23,308 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Alma, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,745 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Alma College

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Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our best teaching schools ranking:

Rank School Location
26 Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN
27 Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI
28 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
29 Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, IL
30 Ball State University Muncie, IN
31 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
32 Lewis University Romeoville, IL

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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