ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region

2 Colleges in the United States
234 Best Degrees Awarded
$47,492 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their best programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for best students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 23
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 43.04), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Cybercrime (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Cybercrime (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Cybersecurity Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Cybersecurity Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Cybersecurity (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA - Cybersecurity (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA - Cybersecurity (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Ethical Hacking Dual Certification Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Ethical Hacking Dual Certification Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "CCSP Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "CCSP Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "CISSP Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "CISSP Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "AS in Cybersecurity" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "AS in Cybersecurity" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Computer Science - Information Security" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Computer Science - Information Security" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Cybersecurity" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Cybersecurity" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Cyber Security" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Cyber Security" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "CCNA & CyberOps Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "CCNA & CyberOps Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "CISM Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "CISM Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "CompTIA CySA+ Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "CompTIA CySA+ Training Boot Camp (All Degree Levels)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Criminal Justice - Cybercrime" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Criminal Justice - Cybercrime" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Homeland Security (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Homeland Security (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Emergency Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Emergency Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Emergency Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Emergency Management (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Emergency Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Emergency Management (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 17
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 12 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 12
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Best in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall best education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Best

1

Ohio University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in best. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 17 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $49,736 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Ohio University Main Campus

2
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Michigan State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 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 $54,166 in the first couple years of their career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Michigan State University

3

Washtenaw Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #3 spot this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Washtenaw Community College awarded about 38 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Washtenaw Community College

4
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Ivy Tech Community College awarded about 148 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $40,734 in their early career. Ivy Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Ivy Tech Community College

ADBLOCK #173
View All Best Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options