2026 Best Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Our analysis ranked Purdue University Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in best. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 94 best degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $43,747 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,098. Get the full best details for Purdue University Main Campus

2

Fox College Inc
Tinley Park, IL

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Fox College Inc, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Tinley Park, Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Fox College Inc awarded about 79 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $36,853 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,722 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Fox College Inc

3

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Michigan State University, which ranked #3. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 21 best students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $41,400. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. See the full best program report for Michigan State University

4

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Macomb Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 37 best students who graduated with this degree at Macomb Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,126. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Macomb Community College

5

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #5. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Joliet Junior College awarded about 89 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $36,988 in their early career. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Get the full best details for Joliet Junior College

6

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Rice Lake, WI

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 33 best students who graduated with this degree at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn around $35,981 in the first couple years of their career. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

7

Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI

Fox Valley Technical College earned the #7 position for best this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Fox Valley Technical College awarded about 11 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $44,020 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,319. Read more about the best program at Fox Valley Technical College

8

Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College landed the #8 spot for best this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 23 best degrees were awarded at Parkland College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Parkland College earn around $39,246 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Parkland College

9

Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI

Madison Area Technical College landed the #9 spot for best this year. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 73 best students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $34,698 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500. See the full best program report for Madison Area Technical College

10

Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH

Columbus State Community College landed the #10 spot for best this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 58 best students who graduated with this degree at Columbus State Community College in the most recent data year. Columbus State Community College graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. See the full best program report for Columbus State Community College

11

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College came in at #11 for best this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Dayton. About 40 best degrees were awarded at Sinclair Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Sinclair Community College earn around $31,456 in the first couple years of their career. Sinclair Community College graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. See the full best program report for Sinclair Community College

12

Heartland Community College
Normal, IL

Heartland Community College placed #12 among the best best schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 24 best students who graduated with this degree at Heartland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $48,710 in their early career. Heartland Community College graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. See the full best program report for Heartland Community College

13

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
Blue Ash, OH

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earned the #13 position for best this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College awarded about 38 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $35,595 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,545. Read more about the best program at University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College

14

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #14 for best this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Cuyahoga Community College District awarded about 12 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $32,820. Cuyahoga Community College District graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Cuyahoga Community College District

15

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Northcentral Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Northcentral Technical College awarded about 13 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Northcentral Technical College

16

Baker College Of Flint
Owosso, MI

Baker College Of Flint landed the #16 spot for best this year. Set in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 best students who graduated with this degree at Baker College Of Flint in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $35,142 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,603 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Baker College Of Flint

17

Kent State University At Tuscarawas
New Philadelphia, OH

Kent State University At Tuscarawas landed the #17 spot for best this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of New Philadelphia. Roughly 4% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kent State University At Tuscarawas awarded about 29 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Kent State University At Tuscarawas earn around $33,716 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. See the full best program report for Kent State University At Tuscarawas

18

Caris College
Jeffersonville, IN

Caris College landed the #18 spot for best this year. Set in the suburb of Jeffersonville, Caris College is a small private for-profit institution. Caris College awarded about 16 best degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full best details for Caris College

19

Milwaukee Career College
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Career College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Milwaukee. About 65 best degrees were awarded at Milwaukee Career College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Milwaukee Career College earn around $30,488 in the first couple years of their career. Milwaukee Career College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. See the full best program report for Milwaukee Career College

20

International Business College Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

International Business College Indianapolis placed #20 among the best best schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, International Business College Indianapolis is a small private for-profit institution. About 102 best degrees were awarded at International Business College Indianapolis in the most recent year. Best graduates of International Business College Indianapolis earn a median of $30,508 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,624 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for International Business College Indianapolis

21

Ross Medical Education Center Canton
Canton, MI

Ross Medical Education Center Canton earned the #21 position for best this year. Located in the suburb of Canton, Ross Medical Education Center Canton is a small private for-profit university. Ross Medical Education Center Canton awarded about 20 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Ross Medical Education Center Canton generally make around $23,488. Students borrow a median of $7,942 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Ross Medical Education Center Canton

22

Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo
Portage, MI

Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo landed the #22 spot for best this year. Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Portage. About 15 best degrees were awarded at Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo in the most recent year. Best graduates of Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo earn a median of $23,488 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,942 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo

23

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College
Rockford, IL

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College earned the #23 position for best this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 13 best students who graduated with this degree at Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College generally make around $30,486. Typical student debt for the program is $18,007. More information about a degree in best from Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College

24

Stautzenberger College Maumee
Maumee, OH

Stautzenberger College Maumee came in at #24 for best this year. Stautzenberger College Maumee is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Maumee. There were roughly 14 best students who graduated with this degree at Stautzenberger College Maumee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Stautzenberger College Maumee earn around $31,186 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,219 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Stautzenberger College Maumee

25

Valley College Cleveland
Cleveland, OH

Valley College Cleveland came in at #25 for best this year. Set in the suburb of Cleveland, Valley College Cleveland is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 63 best students who graduated with this degree at Valley College Cleveland in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Valley College Cleveland generally make around $26,978. Students borrow a median of $15,020 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Valley College Cleveland