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2027 Best Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region

32 Colleges in the United States
3,040 Best Degrees Awarded
$53,256 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for best students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for best. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 251 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for University Of Chicago

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the top schools for best. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 25 best degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Best graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844. See the full best program report for Purdue University Main Campus

3

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates 75% of students within six years. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 65 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Typical student debt for the program is $26,774. Get the full best details for Illinois Institute Of Technology

4

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #4. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 best degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $49,223 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

5

A rank of #5 makes Bradley University one of the top schools for best. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 best students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Bradley University earn around $54,513 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380. See the full best program report for Bradley University

6

Augustana College Illinois landed the #6 spot for best this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Augustana College Illinois awarded about 17 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $39,096. Typical student debt for the program is $26,764. Read more about the best program at Augustana College Illinois

7

Ohio University Main Campus placed #7 among the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 124 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $49,736 in their early career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Get the full best details for Ohio University Main Campus

8
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College placed #8 among the best best schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lake Forest. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 best students who graduated with this degree at Lake Forest College in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Lake Forest College earn a median of $41,168 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,661. See the full best program report for Lake Forest College

9

Illinois State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best best schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 best students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $49,660 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Illinois State University

10

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #10 for best this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 82 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. Read more about the best program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

11

Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best best schools. Set in the town of Angola, Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 1,161 best degrees were awarded at Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus in the most recent year. Best graduates of Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus earn a median of $47,735 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,787 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus

12

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #12 among the best best schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 149 best degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $57,461 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,778. More information about a degree in best from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

13

Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best best schools. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 59 best degrees were awarded at Concordia University Wisconsin in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Concordia University Wisconsin earn around $58,227 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,172 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Concordia University Wisconsin

14

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #14 for best this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates 63% of students within six years. About 46 best degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. Typical student debt for the program is $25,306. Get the full best details for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

15
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #15 spot for best this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 251 best degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Get the full best details for Depaul University

16

Kent State University At Kent earned the #16 position for best this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 249 best degrees 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. Read more about the best program at Kent State University At Kent

17
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University came in at #17 for best this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. Franklin University graduates 3% of students within six years. About 104 best degrees were awarded at Franklin University in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Franklin University earn around $57,471 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,890. See the full best program report for Franklin University

18

Baldwin Wallace College came in at #18 for best this year. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Baldwin Wallace College awarded about 29 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Baldwin Wallace College earn around $46,668 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,307. Read more about the best program at Baldwin Wallace College

19

University Of Toledo placed #19 among the best best schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 best degrees were awarded at University Of Toledo in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $52,675 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for University Of Toledo

20

University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #20 spot for best this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. University Of Michigan Dearborn graduates 58% of students within six years. About 16 best degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Dearborn in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Michigan Dearborn earn around $62,536 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for University Of Michigan Dearborn

21

Wright State University Main Campus came in at #21 for best this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. About 42% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 62 best students who graduated with this degree at Wright State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $49,077 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,836. See the full best program report for Wright State University Main Campus

22
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best best schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 best students who graduated with this degree at Ferris State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Ferris State University earn around $54,608 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Ferris State University

23

University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best best schools. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates 57% of students within six years. About 10 best degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin River Falls in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $47,577. Typical student debt for the program is $24,245. See the full best program report for University Of Wisconsin River Falls

24

University Of Michigan Flint ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Michigan Flint graduates 40% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Flint awarded about 47 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Michigan Flint earn around $51,692 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,016. Get the full best details for University Of Michigan Flint

25

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #25 among the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 36 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Rest of the Top 32 Best Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong best education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Davenport University crest
Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI
32
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 32 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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