2026 Best Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in best. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 21 best degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. More information about a degree in best from Northwestern University

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for best. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 470 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #3 spot this year. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 best students who graduated with this degree at Denison University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Denison University earn a median of $39,797 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,360. Get the full best details for Denison University

4

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Lewis University, which ranked #4. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 127 best degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Typical student debt for the program is $24,838. Read more about the best program at Lewis University

5

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 best students who graduated with this degree at Michigan Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Michigan Technological University

6

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University placed #6 among the best best schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Peoria. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. Bradley University awarded about 63 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Bradley University

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 193 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $66,254 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,137. Get the full best details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

8

John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University landed the #8 spot for best this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of University Heights. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. John Carroll University awarded about 11 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $44,308 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,131 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from John Carroll University

9

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University came in at #9 for best this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Allendale. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grand Valley State University awarded about 40 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $50,179 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Grand Valley State University

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #10 position for best this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 best degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $57,461 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

11

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #11 among the best best schools. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $49,223 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

12

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 20 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $49,911 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Get the full best details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

13

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #13 among the best best schools. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates 54% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 16 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,619. See the full best program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

14

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #14 position for best this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 22 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Green Bay in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn around $42,853 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,477. See the full best program report for University Of Wisconsin Green Bay

15

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 29 best students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Kent State University At Kent

16

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University earned the #16 position for best this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 12 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Case Western Reserve University graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Case Western Reserve University

17

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This large public university is located in the city of Toledo. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from University Of Toledo