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Most Popular Teaching Master's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Teaching Master's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

177 Schools Ranked

With all the teaching programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best 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 Most Popular Teaching Master's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 177 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular master's degree programs for teaching students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

American College of Education

Indianapolis, Indiana
3,474 Total Awards
$6,600 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named American College of Education the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for teaching students working on their master’s degree. This medium-sized private for-profit school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 3,474 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out American College of Education. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on American College of Education

#2

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
1,661 Total Awards
$10,144 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Ball State University is a great place for teaching students working on their master’s degree. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,661 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Ball State does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 91% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Ball State University Report

#3

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
811 Total Awards
$9,378 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Concordia University, Chicago is a great place for teaching students working on their master’s degree. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 811 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Concordia University, Chicago. In fact, around 98% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#4

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
789 Total Awards
$12,096 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend National Louis University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Teaching Master’s Degree 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 789 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at NLU. In fact, around 59% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#5

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
380 Total Awards

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Michigan State University is a great place for teaching students working on their master’s degree. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 380 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.

Michigan State does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 65% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Michigan State University

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
328 Total Awards
$11,390 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Illinois University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 328 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at NIU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#7

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
321 Total Awards
$18,341 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, DePaul University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working on their master’s degree. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 321 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.

One thing to take note of is that DePaul does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

293 Total Awards
$17,823 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree teaching programs. Located in Champaign, Illinois, the large public school awarded 293 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at UIUC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 90% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#9

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
282 Total Awards
$9,992 Average Tuition & Fees

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 282 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.

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

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Report

277 Total Awards

Kent State University at Kent ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Kent State is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 277 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Kent State does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 57% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#11

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
275 Total Awards
$13,839 Average Tuition & Fees

University of St Francis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 275 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

University of Saint Francis does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 89% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of St Francis Report

272 Total Awards
$9,720 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working on their master’s degree. Located in Athens, Ohio, the large public school handed out 272 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at OHIO Athens. In 2019-2020 about 70% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Report

#13

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
257 Total Awards
$17,807 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Michigan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. WMU is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 257 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at WMU. In fact, around 67% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Western Michigan University

253 Total Awards
$12,425 Average Tuition & Fees

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 253 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.

Ohio State does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 76% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Ohio State University - Main Campus

#15

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
251 Total Awards

With a ranking of #15, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working on their master’s degree. Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 251 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Olivet Nazarene does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Report

#16

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan
234 Total Awards
$16,672 Average Tuition & Fees

Eastern Michigan University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree teaching programs. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 234 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Eastern Michigan does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#17

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
233 Total Awards

Grand Valley State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree teaching programs. Grand Valley State University is a large public school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 233 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that GVSU does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 73% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#18

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
226 Total Awards
$17,277 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 226 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that UIC does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Report

#19

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio
213 Total Awards
$10,625 Average Tuition & Fees

Cleveland State University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree teaching programs. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 213 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Cleveland State University. During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#20

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
212 Total Awards

Oakland University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree teaching programs. Located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 212 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Oakland, 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 88% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Oakland University Report

#21

Miami University - Oxford

Oxford, Ohio
209 Total Awards
$13,878 Average Tuition & Fees

Miami University - Oxford did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school located in Oxford, Ohio that handed out 209 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.

Miami University - Oxford does have options available for those who want to take online graduate 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 36% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#22

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, Illinois
208 Total Awards
$9,428 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 208 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Northeastern Illinois University, 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 99% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Report

#23

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
204 Total Awards
$10,640 Average Tuition & Fees

Eastern Illinois University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 204 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at EIU, 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 75% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Eastern Illinois University Report

#24

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
202 Total Awards
$9,530 Average Tuition & Fees

Purdue University Global came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Purdue University Global is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 202 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Purdue University Global are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read full report on Purdue University Global

192 Total Awards
$9,831 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #25, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working on their master’s degree. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, the fairly large public school awarded 192 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.

BGSU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate 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 54% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

Not only did these schools make the top 27 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#27

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin

View Most Popular Teaching Master’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our most popular teaching schools ranking:

Rank School Location
28 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
29 Aurora University Aurora, IL
30 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
30 University of Wisconsin - Superior Superior, WI
32 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
33 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
34 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
35 Concordia University, Wisconsin Mequon, WI
35 Ashland University Ashland, OH

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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