2026 Best Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best best schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 best students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Ohio State University Main Campus

2

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #2. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 best students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Ohio University Main Campus

3

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 16 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,551. Read more about the best program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

4

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #4. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 21 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 $49,700 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,177. Read more about the best program at Miami University Oxford

5

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

A rank of #5 makes Western Michigan University one of the top schools for best. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Western Michigan University graduates 58% of students within six years. Western Michigan University awarded about 19 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,981. More information about a degree in best from Western Michigan University

6

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #6 for best this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 27 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville