2027 Best Finance Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Finance programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their finance programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 102 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for finance students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Finance in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall finance education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Finance
Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for finance. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 finance degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the finance program make about $78,551 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best finance schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 278 finance degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Finance graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $75,381 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 328 finance degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their finance degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $95,742 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in finance from University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Notre Dame is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. About 307 finance degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Students who receive their finance degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $99,075 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
See the full finance program report for University Of Notre Dame
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best finance 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 857 finance degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their finance degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $65,181 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Miami University Oxford landed the #6 spot for finance this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 469 finance students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Finance graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $71,203 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
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Purdue University Main Campus placed #7 among the best finance schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 281 finance students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their finance degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $59,938 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,335 in student loans.
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Michigan State University came in at #8 for finance this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 390 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their finance degree from Michigan State University earn around $68,103 in the first couple years of their career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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University Of Dayton earned the #9 position for finance this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. About 80% of students finish within six years. University Of Dayton awarded about 166 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the finance program make about $64,371 in their early career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans.
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Marquette University earned the #10 position for finance this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. Marquette University awarded about 94 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $67,888. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $24,044 in student loans.
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University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #11 spot for finance this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 290 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Finance graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $59,067 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,549 to complete this degree.
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University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #12 among the best finance schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 237 finance degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their finance degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $55,591 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans.
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Illinois State University came in at #13 for finance this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 168 finance students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their finance degree from Illinois State University earn around $54,958 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
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Northern Illinois University earned the #14 position for finance this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 62 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the finance program make about $54,802 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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Loyola University Chicago placed #15 among the best finance schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 104 finance degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Finance graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $66,919 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,988 in student loans.
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Butler University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best finance schools. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. About 79% of students finish within six years. Butler University awarded about 79 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Finance graduates of Butler University earn a median of $60,290 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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Depaul University placed #17 among the best finance schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. Depaul University awarded about 230 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $66,863. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
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Ohio University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for finance this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 132 finance degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Finance graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $59,305 early in their careers. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best finance schools. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 118 finance degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Finance graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $58,812 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,673.
More information about a degree in finance from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Cedarville University earned the #20 position for finance this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 finance students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville University in the most recent data year. Finance graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $60,880 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750.
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University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #21 position for finance this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 177 finance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Finance graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $55,965 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,909.
See the full finance program report for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best finance schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bloomington. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 29 finance degrees were awarded at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Illinois Wesleyan University generally make around $62,619. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in finance from Illinois Wesleyan University
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best finance schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rice Lake. There were roughly 11 finance students who graduated with this degree at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans.
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John Carroll University came in at #24 for finance this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of University Heights. John Carroll University graduates 79% of students within six years. John Carroll University awarded about 68 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the finance program make about $55,590 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in finance from John Carroll University
Case Western Reserve University earned the #25 position for finance 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 129 finance students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $76,134. Students borrow a median of $26,048 to complete this degree.
Read more about the finance program at Case Western Reserve University
Rest of the Top 50 Finance Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong finance education:
Narrow Finance Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 102 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.