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Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Michigan

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

The $16,000 gap between University of Michigan-Dearborn's $10,904 net cost and Adrian College's $21,504 price tag reveals how dramatically teacher preparation costs vary across Michigan's education market. While public universities dominate the most affordable options, graduates across all programs earn between $30,157 and $38,621 annually, reflecting Michigan's steady demand for educators in both traditional K-12 settings and specialized subject areas. The state's Michigan Achievement Scholarship, offering up to $5,500 for in-state students, makes public options even more attractive for future teachers. Central Michigan University stands out with the highest graduate earnings at $38,194, while Saginaw Valley State maintains the lowest debt load at $23,000. Michigan's strong manufacturing base and growing healthcare sector create unique opportunities for career and technical education teachers, particularly in STEM fields and skilled trades programs that support the state's economic diversification efforts.
30
Programs
$4,282 – $33,342
Net Price Range
$35,888
Avg. Program Earnings
59.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,904 $36,521 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
2 $12,280 $37,980 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
3 $12,202 $35,416 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
4 $13,584 $37,424 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
5 $14,582 $36,344 $12,240 53.8% 76.4%
6 $16,041 $38,194 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
7 $14,773 $34,603 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
8 $16,882 $35,420 $55,746 57.1% 66.5%
9 $17,485 $36,437 $13,304 50.8% 70.6%
10 $17,084 $34,918 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
11 $18,701 $36,914 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
12 $18,597 $33,993 $33,710 65.9% 91.3%
13 $20,899 $37,424 $32,580 59.9% 47.3%
14 $17,096 $30,157 $14,628 68.6% 90.4%
15 $21,504 $37,671 $40,556 56.0% 69.1%
16 $22,384 $38,289 $29,100 61.6% 81.8%
17 $25,749 $38,621 $40,420 82.3% 80.5%
18 $26,409 $34,230 $34,200 50.0% 70.2%
19 $24,783 $31,314 $38,670 77.4% 74.2%
20 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
21 $21,158 $33,076 37.0% 84.6%
22 $4,282 $3,320 30.4%
23 $20,751 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
24 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
25 $17,815 $27,360 58.1% 64.8%
26 $14,368 $14,266 56.9% 76.9%
27 $16,179 $32,300 68.1% 90.5%
28 $33,342 $51,355 69.6% 49.2%
29 $18,902 $38,520 62.5% 90.8%
30 $24,663 $47,430 63.7% 64.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Michigan-Dearborn the most affordable option for teacher education?

University of Michigan-Dearborn offers the lowest net cost at $10,904, combined with solid graduate earnings of $36,521. The school maintains a 54.1% acceptance rate and achieves a 56.6% graduation rate. Students also benefit from the University of Michigan system's reputation while paying significantly less than the flagship Ann Arbor campus.

How do private college teacher education programs compare to public options in Michigan?

Private colleges like Albion College and Adrian College cost $16,882 to $21,504 annually, roughly $5,000 to $10,000 more than most public universities. However, Andrews University achieves the highest graduation rate at 65.9%, and Spring Arbor University maintains selectivity with a 47.32% acceptance rate. Graduate earnings remain competitive, with Adrian College graduates earning $37,671 annually.

Where do Michigan teacher education graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Central Michigan University graduates lead with $38,194 in annual earnings, followed closely by University of Michigan-Flint at $37,980. Spring Arbor University and Adrian College graduates also exceed $37,400 annually. Grand Valley State University shows the lowest earnings at $30,157, despite having the highest graduation rate at 68.6%.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Michigan teacher education?

Grand Valley State University achieves the highest graduation rate at 68.6% with a moderate $17,096 net cost, while Andrews University reaches 65.9% at $18,597. However, University of Michigan-Dearborn maintains a solid 56.6% rate at just $10,904. Eastern Michigan University shows the lowest completion rate at 45.5% despite reasonable costs.

Is student debt a major concern for Michigan teacher education graduates?

Wayne State University graduates carry the lowest debt burden at $21,250, while University of Michigan-Dearborn graduates face $31,000 in debt despite the school's low net cost. Saginaw Valley State keeps debt manageable at $23,000, and University of Michigan-Flint maintains reasonable debt levels at $25,847. Most programs keep debt below $30,000, reasonable for education careers.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.