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. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 21 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Northwestern University

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. 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. Best graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. 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 one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Students who receive their best degree from Denison University earn around $39,797 in the first couple years of their career. Denison University graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Denison University

4

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Lewis University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 127 best students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Lewis University earn around $55,718 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Lewis University

5

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 best degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. Best graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Michigan Technological University

6

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University landed the #6 spot for best this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. Bradley University awarded about 63 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Bradley University

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for best this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Get the full best details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

8

John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University placed #8 among the best best schools. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 11 best degrees were awarded at John Carroll University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $44,308 in their early career. John Carroll University graduates carry a median of $26,131 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from John Carroll University

9

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University placed #9 among the best best schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 best students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. Typical student debt for the program is $26,378. 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 placed #10 among the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 41 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Get the full best details for 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. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 21 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $49,223 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. Get the full best details for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

12

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #12 spot for best this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. About 20 best degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $49,911 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

13

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #13 for best this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 16 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

14

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #14 spot for best this year. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay graduates 53% of students within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,477 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for University Of Wisconsin Green Bay

15

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent placed #15 among the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 29 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $44,776 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,174. More information about a degree in best from Kent State University At Kent

16

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University came in at #16 for best this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 best students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $74,459 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Case Western Reserve University

17

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo earned the #17 position for best this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. 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. Graduates of the best program make about $52,675 in their early career. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Read more about the best program at University Of Toledo