2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Teaching Degree Search has created its Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 155 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best value 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.
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Top Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to be the best value school for teaching students in the Great Lakes Region . NWTC is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 175 degrees in 2020-2021.
NWTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,849 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,377 in student loans. During the early years of their career, NWTC graduates make an average of $36,536 annually.
NWTC also claimed a spot on our Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
The excellent programs at Fox Valley Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value teaching schools in the Great Lakes Region . FVTC is a fairly large public school situated in Appleton, Wisconsin. It awarded 124 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at FVTC are $6,861 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,511 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from FVTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,943 during the early years of their career.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, FVTC also did well on our Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Northcentral Technical College is a great place for teaching students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Northcentral Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Wausau, Wisconsin that handed out 49 degrees in 2020-2021.
North Central Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,415 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $13,759 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from North Central Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,732 during the early years of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Waukesha County Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 51 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,603 a year. On average, students take out $18,321 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WCTC graduates make an average of $38,058 annually.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Sinclair Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 87 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. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,593 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Sinclair Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,938 during the early years of their career.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ivy Tech Community College is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 1,035 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ivy Tech Community College are $8,927 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,847 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Ivy Tech Community College graduates make an average of $35,780 annually.
Viterbo University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #7 on the list. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 506 students in 2020-2021.
Viterbo undergraduate students pay an average of $29,920 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,919 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $326 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Viterbo graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,464 during the early year of their career.
Concordia University, Chicago ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 987 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Concordia University, Chicago are $34,310 a year. On average, students take out $26,522 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Concordia University, Chicago, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,770 during the early years of their career.
Stark State College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Stark State College is a fairly large public school located in North Canton, Ohio that handed out 50 degrees in 2020-2021.
Stark State College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,406 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,948 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Stark State College graduates make an average of $34,701 annually.
Wisconsin Lutheran College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. WLC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 87 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WLC are $32,766 a year. On average, students take out $27,023 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WLC graduates make an average of $43,693 annually.
WLC also took the #4 spot in our Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region rankings.
Ashland University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Ashland University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Ashland, Ohio that handed out 273 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ashland are $23,090 a year. On average, students take out $24,861 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $301 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Ashland, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,635 during the early years of their career.
Ferris State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ferris State University is a fairly large public school located in Big Rapids, Michigan that handed out 139 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, students take out $25,330 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $189, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Ferris graduates make an average of $47,887 annually.
Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #13 on the list. IWU is located in Marion, Indiana and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 343 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at IWU are $9,239 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,493 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $344, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from IWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,269 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
University of St Francis landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 334 degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Saint Francis undergraduate students pay an average of $35,000 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $28,383 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $332. During the early years of their career, University of Saint Francis graduates make an average of $60,805 annually.
University of Saint Francis excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 399 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Olivet Nazarene are $37,440 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,166 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $364. Once they receive their degree, Olivet Nazarene graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,879 during the early year of their career.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 334 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SIUC are $15,240 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,594 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 $165.After graduating from SIUC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,413 during the early years of their career.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, SIUC also did well on our Best Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Northern Illinois University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 630 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NIU are $14,738 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,759 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $216, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from NIU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,041 during the early years of their career.
Youngstown State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school located in Youngstown, Ohio that handed out 267 degrees in 2020-2021.
Youngstown State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,732 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,827 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $160, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Youngstown State University graduates make an average of $41,955 annually.
Alverno College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #19 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 204 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Alverno are $31,258 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $36,247 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 $253 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Alverno, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,126 during the early years of their career.
University of Cincinnati - Clermont College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UC Clermont College is a public institution located in Batavia, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 25 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UC Clermont College are $13,198 a year. On average, students take out $21,075 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $142, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UC Clermont College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,795 during the early years of their career.
National Louis University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. NLU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,158 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NLU are $14,169 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,209 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 $479. During the early years of their career, NLU graduates make an average of $48,291 annually.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #22 on the list. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 213 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SIUE are $11,496 per year. On average, students take out $24,579 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $221 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SIUE, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,746 during the early years of their career.
Muskingum University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Muskingum University is a small private not-for-profit school located in New Concord, Ohio that handed out 118 degrees in 2020-2021.
Muskingum undergraduate students pay an average of $30,090 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $28,976 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Muskingum, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,532 during the early years of their career.
McKendree University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Lebanon, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 129 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at McKendree are $33,050 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,607 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $207, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from McKendree, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,532 during the early years of their career.
Western Illinois University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized public school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 277 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WIU are $13,297 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,617 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $266, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, WIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,708 during the early year of their career.
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best teaching schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | University of Wisconsin - River Falls | River Falls, WI |
| 28 | Concordia University, Wisconsin | Mequon, WI |
| 29 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI |
| 30 | Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor, MI |
| 31 | Cardinal Stritch University | Milwaukee, WI |
| 32 | Xavier University | Cincinnati, OH |
More Great Lakes Rankings
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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