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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #101 | Chadron State CollegePublic | Chadron, NE | $47,620 Median Education Earnings | $10,047 | — | 50.4% |
| #102 | Oakland UniversityPublic | Rochester Hills, MI | $47,540 Median Education Earnings | $4,422 | 87.8% | 57.6% |
| #103 | La Crosse, WI | $47,452 Median Education Earnings | $8,224 | 75.5% | 71.0% | |
| #104 | Duluth, MN | $47,432 Median Education Earnings | $14,433 | 93.0% | 70.5% | |
| #105 | Ferris State UniversityPublic | Big Rapids, MI | $47,271 Median Education Earnings | $2,556 | 91.4% | 46.9% |
| #106 | Oshkosh, WI | $47,255 Median Education Earnings | $9,236 | 86.5% | 46.1% | |
| #107 | Loras CollegePrivate | Dubuque, IA | $47,172 Median Education Earnings | $20,479 | 99.9% | 67.6% |
| #108 | Cincinnati, OH | $47,111 Median Education Earnings | $17,974 | 85.3% | 75.0% | |
| #109 | Indiana University-EastPublic | Richmond, IN | $47,103 Median Education Earnings | $5,154 | 67.2% | 39.6% |
| #110 | Spearfish, SD | $47,082 Median Education Earnings | $11,863 | 96.3% | 42.6% | |
| #111 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | Oxford, OH | $47,030 Median Education Earnings | $16,015 | 75.4% | 79.8% |
| #112 | Grand Forks, ND | $47,027 Median Education Earnings | $13,126 | 76.9% | 60.5% | |
| #113 | Saint Norbert CollegePrivate | De Pere, WI | $47,007 Median Education Earnings | $19,721 | 85.7% | 71.3% |
| #114 | Brookings, SD | $46,952 Median Education Earnings | $14,266 | 98.3% | 62.4% | |
| #115 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | Manhattan, KS | $46,937 Median Education Earnings | $13,178 | 81.7% | 71.1% |
| #116 | University Of St FrancisPrivate | Joliet, IL | $46,930 Median Education Earnings | $8,547 | 65.3% | 66.8% |
| #117 | University Park, IL | $46,895 Median Education Earnings | $9,563 | 48.3% | 22.1% | |
| #118 | Saint Cloud, MN | $46,868 Median Education Earnings | $8,909 | 94.8% | 40.3% | |
| #119 | Hope CollegePrivate | Holland, MI | $46,861 Median Education Earnings | $17,606 | 79.2% | 80.0% |
| #120 | Duluth, MN | $46,856 Median Education Earnings | $7,256 | 88.8% | 64.7% |
