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Best Value Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Value Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

34 Schools Ranked
$11,052 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$20,119 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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Teaching Degree Search has created the Best Value Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 34 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for teaching students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

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

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Northcentral Technical College

Wausau, Wisconsin
12 Total Awards
$5,415 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Northcentral Technical College the best value school in the Great Lakes Region for teaching students working on their associate degree. Northcentral Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Wausau, Wisconsin that handed out 12 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Central Technical College are $5,415 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,435 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that North Central Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Northcentral Technical College

49 Total Awards
$6,849 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a great place for teaching students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. NWTC is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 49 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NWTC are $6,849 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,312 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NWTC. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

NWTC also made our Best Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list, coming in at #2.

Full Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Report

#3

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin
19 Total Awards
$6,769 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Madison Area Technical College is a great place for teaching students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Madison College are $6,769 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,947 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Madison College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.

Madison College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

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#4

Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, Wisconsin
21 Total Awards
$6,861 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Fox Valley Technical College is a great place for teaching students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. FVTC is located in Appleton, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 associate degrees to qualified students.

FVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,861 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,318 in student loans.

FVTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 42% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

FVTC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Full Fox Valley Technical College Report

#5

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
57 Total Awards
$6,908 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent associate degree programs at Milwaukee Area Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value teaching schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 57 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

MATC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,908 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,921 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at MATC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Milwaukee Area Technical College

#6

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
28 Total Awards
$6,683 Average Tuition & Fees

Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 28 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

CVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,208 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

CVTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#7

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, Wisconsin
37 Total Awards
$6,603 Average Tuition & Fees

Waukesha County Technical College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree teaching programs. WCTC is a public institution located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 37 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,603 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,402 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WCTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 17% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Waukesha County Technical College Report

75 Total Awards
$8,076 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Sinclair Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for teaching students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 75 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Sinclair Community College are $8,076 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,728 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Sinclair Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Sinclair Community College also is in the top 20% of our Best Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

Full Sinclair Community College Report

#9

Mid-State Technical College

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
7 Total Awards
$6,351 Average Tuition & Fees

Mid-State Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. This small public school is located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and it awarded 7 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Mid-State are $6,351 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,908 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Mid-State does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 52% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Mid-State Technical College

#10

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana
433 Total Awards
$8,927 Average Tuition & Fees

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 433 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ivy Tech Community College are $8,927 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,984 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Ivy Tech Community College. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

32 Total Awards
$9,090 Average Tuition & Fees

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree teaching programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 32 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cincinnati State are $9,090 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,224 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Cincinnati State. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#12

Stark State College

North Canton, Ohio
48 Total Awards
$7,406 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,837 Avg Student Debt

Stark State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Stark State College is a public institution located in North Canton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 48 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Stark State College are $7,406 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $21,837 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Stark State College. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Stark State College Report

24 Total Awards
$8,586 Average Tuition & Fees

Cuyahoga Community College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Cuyahoga Community College District is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cuyahoga Community College District are $8,586 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,998 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Cuyahoga Community College District, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Cuyahoga Community College District

22 Total Awards
$9,239 Average Tuition & Fees

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Marion, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at IWU are $9,239 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,876 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at IWU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Report

#15

Rasmussen University - Illinois

Rockford, Illinois
40 Total Awards
$13,883 Average Tuition & Fees

Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree teaching programs. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 40 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Rasmussen University - Illinois undergraduate students pay an average of $13,883 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $27,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Illinois does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Rasmussen University - Illinois is ranked #1 for overall quality in the Great Lakes Region .

Read More…

#16

Rasmussen University - Wisconsin

Green Bay, Wisconsin
7 Total Awards
$12,860 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Rasmussen University - Wisconsin did quite well on this year’s best value schools for teaching students working on their associate degree. Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is a private for-profit institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 7 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Wisconsin are $12,860 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $27,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Rasmussen University - Wisconsin. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Rasmussen University - Wisconsin also is in the top 15% of our Best Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

Read More…

#17

Owens Community College

Perrysburg, Ohio
37 Total Awards
$9,782 Average Tuition & Fees

Owens Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Perrysburg, Ohio, the medium-sized public school handed out 37 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Owens State Community College are $9,782 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $22,371 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Owens State Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#18

Saint Augustine College

Chicago, Illinois
60 Total Awards
$12,120 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Augustine College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree teaching programs. St. Augustine College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 60 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at St. Augustine College are $12,120 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $4,978 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

St. Augustine College is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read full report on Saint Augustine College

25 Total Awards
$13,198 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Cincinnati - Clermont College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree teaching programs. UC Clermont College is a public institution located in Batavia, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 25 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Clermont College undergraduate students pay an average of $13,198 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,638 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UC Clermont College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#20

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan
9 Total Awards
$13,188 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Ferris State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for teaching students working on their associate degree. Ferris State University is a fairly large public school located in Big Rapids, Michigan that handed out 9 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ferris are $13,188 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,950 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Ferris, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 83% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Ferris State University Report

34 Total Awards
$15,185 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Blue Ash, Ohio, the medium-sized public school awarded 34 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

UC Blue Ash College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,185 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,575 in student loans.

UC Blue Ash College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College

1 Total Awards
$11,880 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,147 Avg Student Debt

University of Akron Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at University of Akron Main Campus are $11,880 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $24,147 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

University of Akron Main Campus does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

19 Total Awards
$15,527 Average Tuition & Fees

Kent State University at Salem ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Kent State University at Salem is a small public school situated in Salem, Ohio. It awarded 19 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Kent State University at Salem undergraduate students pay an average of $15,527 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $22,296 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Kent State University at Salem does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#24

Kent State University at Tuscarawas

New Philadelphia, Ohio
13 Total Awards
$15,527 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,596 Avg Student Debt

Kent State University at Tuscarawas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Kent State University at Tuscarawas is a small public school located in New Philadelphia, Ohio that handed out 13 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kent State University at Tuscarawas are $15,527 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $22,596 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Kent State University at Tuscarawas does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 53% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

47 Total Awards
$27,111 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 47 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UC are $27,111 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,007 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that UC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Report

View Best Value Associate Degree Teaching Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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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