Best Education Colleges in Michigan (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 24 Education programs in Michigan by the median earnings of Education graduates four years after completing. Across the 17 schools with a reported completion median, median earnings range from $54,558 to $35,060, with a median of $48,926.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads the list at $54,558, followed by Wayne State University at $53,459 and Albion College at $53,210. For 1 of the 17 programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 58% of the list, with 14 schools alongside 10 private nonprofits. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally, and its six-year completion rate of 93% is the highest on the page.
University of Michigan-Flint posts the lowest average net price at $7,007, while Rochester Christian University has the highest admission rate, admitting 98% of applicants.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Education Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI | $54,558 | $13,138 | $1,043 | 15.6% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor reports $54,558 in median earnings of Education graduates four years after completing and admits 16% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (70 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($54,558) | |||||
| 2 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $53,459 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 81.2% |
| With an average net price of $11,090 for families earning under $30,000, Wayne State University ranks 2nd on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (107 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (86 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($58,743), Special Education and Teaching ($58,182), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($48,506) | |||||
| 3 | Albion College · Albion, MI | $53,210 | $14,301 | $10,036 | 80.7% |
| Albion College, a private nonprofit college in Albion, posts a six-year completion rate of 62%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (14 graduates) | |||||
| 4 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $53,077 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
| Michigan State University graduates 81% of its students within six years and reports median earnings of $53,077 for its Education graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (131 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (32 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (22 graduates) | |||||
| 5 | Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI | $50,072 | $15,407 | $13,250 | 79.6% |
| Eastern Michigan University carries an average net price of $15,407 and ranks 319th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (153 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (68 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (40 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Special Education and Teaching ($54,303), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($50,007), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($48,994) | |||||
| 6 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $49,687 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
| Central Michigan University admits 90% of applicants and its Education graduates earn a median of $49,687 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (215 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (53 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (44 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Special Education and Teaching ($50,095), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($49,677), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($49,588) | |||||
| 7 | Saginaw Valley State University · University Center, MI | $49,489 | $10,775 | $9,844 | 72.1% |
| Ranking 7th on this list, Saginaw Valley State University shows an average net price of $9,844 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Special Education and Teaching (82 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (72 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (68 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Special Education and Teaching ($50,078), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($49,761), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($48,561) | |||||
| 8 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $49,378 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 83.0% |
| Grand Valley State University reports a six-year completion rate of 67% and median earnings of $49,378 for its Education graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (276 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (100 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (43 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($49,612), Education, General ($49,225) | |||||
| 9 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $48,926 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
| Western Michigan University posts an average net price of $5,263 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 353rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (111 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (70 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Special Education and Teaching ($50,665), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($49,340), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($47,898) | |||||
| 10 | Adrian College · Adrian, MI | $48,453 | $25,368 | $19,542 | 72.5% |
| Adrian College admits 73% of applicants and its Education graduates earn a median of $48,453 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (26 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($48,453) | |||||
| 11 | Oakland University · Rochester Hills, MI | $47,540 | $9,120 | $4,422 | 87.8% |
| Oakland University carries an average net price of $9,120 and ranks 147th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (130 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($48,396) | |||||
| 12 | Ferris State University · Big Rapids, MI | $47,271 | $8,624 | $2,556 | 91.4% |
| Ferris State University reports a six-year completion rate of 47% and an average net price of $2,556 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (57 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($51,484), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($45,053) | |||||
| 13 | Hope College · Holland, MI | $46,861 | $27,182 | $17,606 | 79.2% |
| Hope College reports a six-year completion rate of 80% and an average net price of $27,182. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (40 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (37 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (34 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($49,627), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($49,469) | |||||
| 14 | University of Michigan-Flint · Flint, MI | $46,662 | $7,007 | $1,517 | 70.5% |
| University of Michigan-Flint posts the lowest average net price on the page at $7,007, alongside a six-year completion rate of 40%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (20 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($47,731), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($45,861) | |||||
| 15 | Cornerstone University · Grand Rapids, MI | $46,618 | $20,301 | $20,177 | 77.8% |
| Cornerstone University shows median earnings of $46,618 for its Education graduates four years after completing, and an admission rate of 78%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (17 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (13 graduates) | |||||
| 16 | Spring Arbor University · Spring Arbor, MI | $46,004 | $19,353 | $14,530 | 51.5% |
| Spring Arbor University admits 52% of applicants and reports an average net price of $14,530 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (19 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (14 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($47,270) | |||||
| 17 | Aquinas College · Grand Rapids, MI | $45,713 | $16,626 | $10,725 | 89.9% |
| Aquinas College ranks 17th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 65% and an average net price of $16,626. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (30 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (10 graduates) | |||||
| 18 | Calvin University · Grand Rapids, MI | $45,425 | $22,992 | $19,281 | 70.9% |
| Calvin University holds an Azimuth composite rank of 1140th among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally, and graduates 74% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (49 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (32 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($47,157), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($45,579) | |||||
| 19 | Northern Michigan University · Marquette, MI | $44,732 | $14,085 | $7,697 | 84.0% |
| Northern Michigan University reports an average net price of $7,697 for families earning under $30,000, and an admission rate of 84%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (42 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (31 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($46,002), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($45,008) | |||||
| 20 | Alma College · Alma, MI | $44,458 | $20,694 | $17,162 | 57.0% |
| Alma College reports median earnings of $44,458 for its Education graduates four years after completing, and a six-year completion rate of 63%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (22 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (17 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($44,458) | |||||
| 21 | University of Michigan-Dearborn · Dearborn, MI | $44,265 | $9,492 | $7,211 | 55.6% |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn ranks 88th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally, and reports an average net price of $9,492. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (31 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (15 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($49,236) | |||||
| 22 | Rochester Christian University · Rochester Hills, MI | $43,039 | $21,456 | $18,463 | 97.7% |
| Rochester Christian University admits 98% of applicants and reports median earnings of $43,039 for its Education graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (79 graduates) | |||||
| 23 | Baker College · Owosso, MI | $41,378 | $13,157 | $11,976 | 81.9% |
| Baker College reports a six-year completion rate of 36% and an average net price of $11,976 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (29 graduates), Education, General (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($46,559) | |||||
| 24 | Lake Superior State University · Sault Ste Marie, MI | $35,060 | $12,822 | $3,516 | Not reported |
| Lake Superior State University reports median earnings of $35,060 for its Education graduates two years after completing, and an average net price of $12,822. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (15 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Education graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figure covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled after completing. For 1 of the 24 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 17 schools with a reported completion median. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads Wayne State University by $1,099, and the spread from top to bottom is $19,498.
Related rankings
- Education Colleges
- Best Colleges in Michigan
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