Education programs across the Midwest span 208 institutions, with graduates earning between $35,833 and $83,648 ten years after enrollment. This $48,000 earnings range demonstrates how program selection and institutional quality directly impact teaching careers and long-term career earnings in the education sector.
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities, achieving the highest program earnings at $55,779. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale follows closely at $55,418, with University Of Illinois Chicago rounding out the top three at $54,523. These public universities demonstrate how strong teacher preparation programs translate into superior median earnings compared to the national average for education degree holders.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Albion CollegePrivate | Albion, MI | $53,210 Median Education Earnings | $10,036 | 80.7% | 61.6% |
| #22 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $53,172 Median Education Earnings | $28,992 | 81.6% | 73.0% |
| #23 | East Lansing, MI | $53,077 Median Education Earnings | $7,068 | 84.8% | 80.7% | |
| #24 | Menomonie, WI | $52,783 Median Education Earnings | $10,966 | 87.7% | 54.9% | |
| #25 | Morningside UniversityPrivate | Sioux City, IA | $52,731 Median Education Earnings | $33,738 | 71.0% | 50.1% |
| #26 | Vandercook College Of MusicPrivate | Chicago, IL | $52,671 Median Education Earnings | $16,308 | 89.5% | 66.7% |
| #27 | Fargo, ND | $52,339 Median Education Earnings | $9,370 | 95.0% | 63.9% | |
| #28 | St Olaf CollegePrivate | Northfield, MN | $51,909 Median Education Earnings | $10,404 | 48.3% | 84.0% |
| #29 | Chicago, IL | $51,793 Median Education Earnings | $13,709 | 74.6% | 21.6% | |
| #30 | Lewis UniversityPrivate | Romeoville, IL | $51,691 Median Education Earnings | $10,382 | 71.3% | 66.6% |
| #31 | Saint Mary's CollegePrivate | Notre Dame, IN | $51,665 Median Education Earnings | $16,760 | 76.0% | 69.3% |
| #32 | Dekalb, IL | $51,523 Median Education Earnings | $10,126 | 69.8% | 48.7% | |
| #33 | College Of Saint BenedictPrivate | Saint Joseph, MN | $51,487 Median Education Earnings | $12,981 | 91.5% | 77.1% |
| #34 | West Lafayette, IN | $51,368 Median Education Earnings | $5,098 | 49.9% | 83.1% | |
| #35 | Augustana CollegePrivate | Rock Island, IL | $51,136 Median Education Earnings | $15,787 | 62.7% | 72.9% |
| #36 | Moorhead, MN | $50,952 Median Education Earnings | $20,950 | 62.6% | 61.1% | |
| #37 | University Of IowaPublic | Iowa City, IA | $50,949 Median Education Earnings | $15,316 | 83.6% | 74.6% |
| #38 | Normal, IL | $50,910 Median Education Earnings | $11,568 | 88.1% | 64.5% | |
| #39 | Knox CollegePrivate | Galesburg, IL | $50,828 Median Education Earnings | $17,134 | 70.8% | 67.7% |
| #40 | University Of KansasPublic | Lawrence, KS | $50,813 Median Education Earnings | $12,544 | 93.5% | 68.8% |
