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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #161 | Webster UniversityPrivate | Saint Louis, MO | $45,411 Median Education Earnings | $22,359 | 86.2% | 64.4% |
| #162 | Bemidji State UniversityPublic | Bemidji, MN | $45,407 Median Education Earnings | $10,073 | 56.0% | 47.9% |
| #163 | Columbia, MO | $45,390 Median Education Earnings | $13,841 | 78.5% | 74.9% | |
| #164 | Mequon, WI | $45,299 Median Education Earnings | $34,991 | 78.2% | 68.3% | |
| #165 | Dayton, OH | $45,229 Median Education Earnings | $11,952 | 96.3% | 41.7% | |
| #166 | William Penn UniversityPrivate | Oskaloosa, IA | $45,099 Median Education Earnings | $20,608 | 51.9% | 32.6% |
| #167 | Augustana UniversityPrivate | Sioux Falls, SD | $45,088 Median Education Earnings | $18,746 | 67.8% | 73.0% |
| #168 | Manchester UniversityPrivate | North Manchester, IN | $45,088 Median Education Earnings | $13,875 | 71.1% | 46.1% |
| #169 | Seward, NE | $45,047 Median Education Earnings | $19,107 | 85.7% | 64.9% | |
| #170 | Macomb, IL | $45,000 Median Education Earnings | $6,941 | 71.2% | 45.2% | |
| #171 | Eureka CollegePrivate | Eureka, IL | $44,805 Median Education Earnings | $13,711 | 85.0% | 41.6% |
| #172 | Marquette, MI | $44,732 Median Education Earnings | $7,697 | 84.0% | 52.1% | |
| #173 | University Of ToledoPublic | Toledo, OH | $44,691 Median Education Earnings | $13,524 | 92.0% | 57.0% |
| #174 | Benedictine UniversityPrivate | Lisle, IL | $44,659 Median Education Earnings | $20,168 | 95.2% | 50.3% |
| #175 | Athens, OH | $44,599 Median Education Earnings | $15,673 | 85.0% | 65.5% | |
| #176 | Washburn UniversityPublic | Topeka, KS | $44,571 Median Education Earnings | $20,310 | — | 53.0% |
| #177 | Illinois Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Bloomington, IL | $44,528 Median Education Earnings | $17,732 | 39.3% | 74.7% |
| #178 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | Saint Paul, MN | $44,468 Median Education Earnings | $28,131 | 85.4% | 76.4% |
| #179 | Springfield, IL | $44,458 Median Education Earnings | $5,778 | 85.9% | 53.2% | |
| #180 | Alma CollegePrivate | Alma, MI | $44,458 Median Education Earnings | $17,162 | 57.0% | 62.9% |
