by our College Data Analytics TeamPurdue University Main Campus ranks #1 of 276 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in the Great Lakes Region ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 64% six-year graduation rate and $64,996 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in the Great Lakes Region, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **276** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated 276 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Purdue University Main Campus leads the 276 ranked colleges in the Great Lakes Region, followed by Loyola University Chicago (#2) and Michigan Technological University (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best colleges in the Great Lakes Region. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Median early-career earnings reach $63,111. Graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
Out of the 276 colleges in the Great Lakes Region in this year's ranking, Loyola University Chicago landed the #2 spot. Set in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,568. The median student debt is $23,521.
Michigan Technological University came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in the Great Lakes Region. Set in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Median early-career earnings reach $64,652. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Calvin College, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Grand Rapids, MI, Calvin College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Median early-career earnings reach $44,220. Calvin College students take on a median of $22,707 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Lewis University earned it the #5 place in the Great Lakes Region. Based in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #6 among the best colleges in the Great Lakes Region. Based in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,020. Typical student debt is $13,319.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,223. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete a degree here.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. About 74% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,659. The median student debt is $23,530.
Lawrence Technological University landed the #9 spot in the Great Lakes Region this year. Set in Southfield, MI, Lawrence Technological University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,760. Early-career graduates earn a median of $74,924. Lawrence Technological University students take on a median of $27,799 in debt.
Fox College Inc came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Tinley Park, IL, Fox College Inc is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,670. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,978 early in their careers. Fox College Inc students take on a median of $18,767 in debt.
Harper College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Harper College is a public school based in Palatine, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Harper College graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,523. Graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans.
Marian University Ancilla placed #12 among the best colleges in the Great Lakes Region. Set in Plymouth, IN, Marian University Ancilla is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,100. Early-career graduates earn a median of $55,044. Graduates carry a median of $32,222 in student loans.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,561. Graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans.
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute did well this year, earning the #14 position. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a public school based in Wooster, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,584, with out-of-state students paying around $36,362. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $34,898. Typical student debt is $12,286.
Ferris State University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,608 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete a degree here.
Marian University Indiana did well this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Marian University Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Marian University Indiana graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $40,664. Median early-career earnings reach $49,784. The median student debt is $28,633.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Marion, IN, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,648. Median early-career earnings reach $53,372. Students borrow a median of $33,307 to complete a degree here.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #18 spot in the Great Lakes Region this year. This public school is set in Indianapolis, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,930. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete a degree here.
Northwood University Michigan ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Midland, MI, Northwood University Michigan is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwood University Michigan posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Students from in state pay about $34,400 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $50,791. Students borrow a median of $25,344 to complete a degree here.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Whitewater, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $45,767. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater students take on a median of $25,306 in debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Eau Claire, WI, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,531. Graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans.
Madison Area Technical College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Median early-career earnings reach $44,279. Madison Area Technical College students take on a median of $16,812 in debt.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Platteville, WI, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates 61% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,998. Graduates carry a median of $23,677 in student loans.
The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences did well this year, earning the #24 position. The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school based in Cincinnati, OH. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,568. Early-career graduates earn a median of $62,532. Typical student debt is $33,202.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Oshkosh, WI, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Median early-career earnings reach $50,590. Typical student debt is $24,619.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 276 in the Great Lakes Region. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
These 6 colleges rank #51 through #56 of 276 in the Great Lakes Region. These colleges also performed well in our Best Colleges ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | University Of Cincinnati Clermont College | Batavia, OH |
| 52 | Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus | Angola, IN |
| 53 | University Of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN |
| 54 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore, WI |
| 55 | National Louis University | Chicago, IL |
| 56 | Trine University | Angola, IN |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.