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# Best Education Colleges in Michigan (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

Programs in this field[Teacher Education](/rankings/best-teacher-education-colleges-in-michigan/)

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](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/majors/) leads the list at $54,558, followed by [Wayne State University](/school/wayne-state-university/majors/) 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

24 schools in list order

| 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](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/majors/) reports [$54,558 in median earnings](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/outcomes/) 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](/school/wayne-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, [Wayne State University](/school/wayne-state-university/majors/) 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](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) [graduates 81% of its students within six years](/school/michigan-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/eastern-michigan-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $15,407](/school/eastern-michigan-university/cost/) 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](/school/central-michigan-university/majors/) [admits 90% of applicants](/school/central-michigan-university/admissions/) 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](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/majors/) shows an [average net price of $9,844](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/cost/) 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](/school/grand-valley-state-university/majors/) reports a [six-year completion rate of 67%](/school/grand-valley-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/western-michigan-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $5,263](/school/western-michigan-university/cost/) 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](/school/adrian-college/majors/) [admits 73% of applicants](/school/adrian-college/admissions/) 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](/school/oakland-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $9,120](/school/oakland-university/cost/) 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](/school/ferris-state-university/majors/) reports a [six-year completion rate of 47%](/school/ferris-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/hope-college/majors/) reports a [six-year completion rate of 80%](/school/hope-college/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-michigan-flint/majors/) posts the lowest average net price on the page at $7,007, alongside a [six-year completion rate of 40%](/school/university-of-michigan-flint/outcomes/). |
|  | 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](/school/cornerstone-university/majors/) shows [median earnings of $46,618](/school/cornerstone-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/aquinas-college/majors/) ranks 17th on this list, with a [six-year completion rate of 65%](/school/aquinas-college/outcomes/) 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](/school/calvin-university/majors/) holds an [Azimuth composite rank of 1140th](/school/calvin-university/) 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](/school/northern-michigan-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $7,697](/school/northern-michigan-university/cost/) 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](/school/university-of-michigan-dearborn/majors/) [ranks 88th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-michigan-dearborn/) 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](/school/baker-college/majors/) reports a [six-year completion rate of 36%](/school/baker-college/outcomes/) 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](/school/lake-superior-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $35,060](/school/lake-superior-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/rankings/best-colleges-in-michigan/)
-   [Best Education Colleges in California](/rankings/best-education-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Best Teacher Education Colleges in Florida](/rankings/best-teacher-education-colleges-in-florida/)
-   [Best Teacher Education Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-teacher-education-colleges-in-texas/)
-   [Best Teacher Education Colleges in Minnesota](/rankings/best-teacher-education-colleges-in-minnesota/)
-   Teacher Education Colleges in Michigan for Social Mobility