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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #121 | University Of DubuquePrivate | Dubuque, IA | $46,783 Median Education Earnings | $18,106 | 88.6% | 40.1% |
| #122 | Rockford UniversityPrivate | Rockford, IL | $46,780 Median Education Earnings | $20,877 | 92.9% | 47.2% |
| #123 | South Bend, IN | $46,751 Median Education Earnings | $4,637 | 83.8% | 40.1% | |
| #124 | Indiana State UniversityPublic | Terre Haute, IN | $46,728 Median Education Earnings | $6,455 | 80.8% | 42.9% |
| #125 | Upper Iowa UniversityPrivate | Fayette, IA | $46,721 Median Education Earnings | $17,715 | 96.5% | 33.9% |
| #126 | Alverno CollegePrivate | Milwaukee, WI | $46,708 Median Education Earnings | $22,032 | 85.7% | 49.2% |
| #127 | Midland UniversityPrivate | Fremont, NE | $46,695 Median Education Earnings | $21,086 | 66.1% | 42.1% |
| #128 | Cedar Falls, IA | $46,691 Median Education Earnings | $10,863 | 92.7% | 67.9% | |
| #129 | Flint, MI | $46,662 Median Education Earnings | $1,517 | 70.5% | 40.3% | |
| #130 | Cornerstone UniversityPrivate | Grand Rapids, MI | $46,618 Median Education Earnings | $20,177 | 77.8% | 61.9% |
| #131 | Olivet Nazarene UniversityPrivate | Bourbonnais, IL | $46,550 Median Education Earnings | $17,232 | 55.9% | 60.8% |
| #132 | Saint Paul, MN | $46,521 Median Education Earnings | $26,696 | 93.5% | 68.1% | |
| #133 | Dakota State UniversityPublic | Madison, SD | $46,507 Median Education Earnings | $17,317 | 88.0% | 51.3% |
| #134 | Simpson CollegePrivate | Indianola, IA | $46,495 Median Education Earnings | $17,941 | 86.2% | 63.3% |
| #135 | Moorhead, MN | $46,483 Median Education Earnings | $11,129 | 58.8% | 57.3% | |
| #136 | Franklin CollegePrivate | Franklin, IN | $46,423 Median Education Earnings | $14,790 | 69.8% | 60.3% |
| #137 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | Peoria, IL | $46,415 Median Education Earnings | $17,269 | 76.8% | 76.2% |
| #138 | National Louis UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $46,398 Median Education Earnings | $12,462 | 95.0% | 30.1% |
| #139 | Vermillion, SD | $46,398 Median Education Earnings | $14,921 | 98.8% | 59.9% | |
| #140 | North Central UniversityPrivate | Minneapolis, MN | $46,380 Median Education Earnings | $20,450 | 99.0% | 66.3% |