2026 Best Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in best. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 83 best students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $73,260 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Northwestern University

2

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top schools for best. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 556 best students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,502. Students borrow a median of $20,731 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Indiana University Bloomington

3

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #3. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 21 best degrees were awarded at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn around $47,491 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,807. See the full best program report for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

4

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 164 best degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $50,294 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,887 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Ohio State University Main Campus

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 best degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Best graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $59,815 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,115. See the full best program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

6

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 22 best degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $65,378. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Depaul University

7

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 best degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Best graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Illinois Institute Of Technology

8

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University came in at #8 for best this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 best degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $62,849 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Northern Illinois University

9

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford landed the #9 spot for best this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 13 best degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $45,278 in the first couple years of their career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $25,731 in student loans. Get the full best details for Miami University Oxford

10

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 90 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $66,900. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

11

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #11 spot for best this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 13 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530. Read more about the best program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

12

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #12 spot for best this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. About 10 best degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Best graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

13

Calumet College Of Saint Joseph
Whiting, IN

Calumet College Of Saint Joseph landed the #13 spot for best this year. Set in the suburb of Whiting, Calumet College Of Saint Joseph is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph awarded about 10 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Calumet College Of Saint Joseph earn a median of $111,396 early in their careers. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph graduates carry a median of $24,428 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Calumet College Of Saint Joseph

14

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This large public university is located in the town of Whitewater. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 10 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $44,951 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,187 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

15

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #15 among the best best schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 best students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $56,767 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,500. See the full best program report for Central Michigan University

16

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 23 best degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $55,254 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Oakland University

17

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University landed the #17 spot for best this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Grand Valley State University awarded about 49 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $46,843 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,697 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Grand Valley State University

18

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #18 for best this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates 52% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 63 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $61,014. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at University Of Illinois At Springfield

19

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University landed the #19 spot for best this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 15 best students who graduated with this degree at Northern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Northern Michigan University earn around $40,508 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,608. See the full best program report for Northern Michigan University

20

Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University came in at #20 for best this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 3%. Franklin University awarded about 58 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $63,922. Franklin University graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. See the full best program report for Franklin University

21

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #21 position for best this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 27 best degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Wayne State University earn around $50,539 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Wayne State University

22

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #22 among the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 33 best degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Best graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $55,481 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,546. Get the full best details for Ohio University Main Campus

23

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University placed #23 among the best best schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 best degrees were awarded at Western Michigan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $58,501. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Western Michigan University

24

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University came in at #24 for best this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. National Louis University awarded about 11 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from National Louis University earn around $53,733 in the first couple years of their career. National Louis University graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. See the full best program report for National Louis University

25

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #25 position for best this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 23 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $66,131 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,174. Read more about the best program at Kent State University At Kent