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. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 94 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $43,747. Typical student debt for the program is $17,098. More information about a degree in best from Purdue University Main Campus

2

Fox College Inc
Tinley Park, IL

Fox College Inc is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Tinley Park, Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 79 best students who graduated with this degree at Fox College Inc in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Fox College Inc earn around $36,853 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,722. More information about a degree in best from 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. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 best students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Michigan State University earn around $41,400 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from 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. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Macomb Community College awarded about 37 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $38,126 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,862. More information about a degree in best from Macomb Community College

5

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 89 best students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $36,988. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Joliet Junior College

6

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Rice Lake, WI

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #6 for best this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. About 33 best degrees were awarded at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent year. Best graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,384. Read more about the best program at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

7

Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI

Fox Valley Technical College earned the #7 position for best this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. About 11 best degrees were awarded at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Fox Valley Technical College

8

Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College landed the #8 spot for best this year. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. Parkland College awarded about 23 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Parkland College earn around $39,246 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,168. Get the full best details for Parkland College

9

Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI

Madison Area Technical College came in at #9 for best this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 73 best students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $34,698. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Madison Area Technical College

10

Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH

Columbus State Community College came in at #10 for best this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. There were roughly 58 best students who graduated with this degree at Columbus State Community College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Columbus State Community College

11

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College earned the #11 position for best this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. About 40 best degrees were awarded at Sinclair Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $31,456. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Sinclair Community College

12

Heartland Community College
Normal, IL

Heartland Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Normal. About 24 best degrees were awarded at Heartland Community College in the most recent year. Best graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from 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. This large public university is located in the suburb of Blue Ash. 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. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College graduates carry a median of $16,545 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College

14

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #14 spot for best this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. About 12 best degrees were awarded at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent 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. See the full best program report for Cuyahoga Community College District

15

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Northcentral Technical College placed #15 among the best best schools. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. About 13 best degrees were awarded at Northcentral Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Northcentral Technical College earn around $41,696 in the first couple years of their career. Northcentral Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Northcentral Technical College

16

Baker College Of Flint
Owosso, MI

Baker College Of Flint came in at #16 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. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Baker College Of Flint generally make around $35,142. 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 came in at #17 for best this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of New Philadelphia. Kent State University At Tuscarawas graduates 4% of students within six years. About 29 best degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Tuscarawas in the most recent 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. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Kent State University At Tuscarawas

18

Caris College
Jeffersonville, IN

Caris College landed the #18 spot for best this year. Caris College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Jeffersonville. There were roughly 16 best students who graduated with this degree at Caris College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in best from 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. Milwaukee Career College awarded about 65 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $30,488 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. More information about a degree in best from Milwaukee Career College

20

International Business College Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

International Business College Indianapolis ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, International Business College Indianapolis is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 102 best students who graduated with this degree at International Business College Indianapolis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from International Business College Indianapolis generally make around $30,508. Students borrow a median of $13,624 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at International Business College Indianapolis

21

Ross Medical Education Center Canton
Canton, MI

Ross Medical Education Center Canton came in at #21 for best this year. Located in the suburb of Canton, Ross Medical Education Center Canton is a small private for-profit university. About 20 best degrees were awarded at Ross Medical Education Center Canton in the most recent year. Best graduates of Ross Medical Education Center Canton earn a median of $23,488 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,942. Read more about the best program at Ross Medical Education Center Canton

22

Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo
Portage, MI

Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo placed #22 among the best best schools. Located in the city of Portage, Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo is a small private for-profit university. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $7,942. See the full best program report for Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo

23

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College
Rockford, IL

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College placed #23 among the best best schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Rockford. About 13 best degrees were awarded at Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College generally make around $30,486. Students borrow a median of $18,007 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at 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. About 14 best degrees were awarded at Stautzenberger College Maumee in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $31,186 in their early 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 ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the suburb of Cleveland, Valley College Cleveland is a small private for-profit university. About 42 best degrees were awarded at Valley College Cleveland in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Valley College Cleveland earn around $26,978 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,020 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Valley College Cleveland