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2024 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

222 Colleges
$40,343 Avg Salary
$26,790 Avg Student Debt

With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a college degree. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in the Great Lakes Region ranking is part of that endeavor.

Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing the Best School for You

After analyzing 222 schools in the Great Lakes Region , we came up with our list of those that offered the best bachelor's degree programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.

Better Early-Career Average Salaries

The average early-career salary of those graduating with a bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. Recent students who earned a bachelor's degree in the Great Lakes Region entered the job market making an average of $40,343 while those in the top 25 schools on our list made an average of $45,005.

Starting Salary  ( 35231 to 52519 )
$0
$74,542

Student Loan Borrowing

Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their bachelor's so we factor that into our rankings as well. When attending a school in the Great Lakes Region , bachelor's degree students accumulate an average of $26,790 in student debt before graduation. The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.

Additional Ranking Factors We Use

Our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt. These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.

Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology

Other Rankings

Associate Degree Rankings Undergrad Rankings
Master's Degree Rankings Grad School Rankings
Doctorate Degrees Ranking Grad School Rankings
Overall Best Colleges Ranking Overall Rankings
Are you more interested in the top bachelor's degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.

Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
2,163 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,910 Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,306 Average Student Debt

Our analysis found University of Chicago to be the best school for bachelor’s degrees in the Great Lakes Region in this year’s ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,163 students in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UChicago go into careers with an average salary of $46,910 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $16,306. This translates to an average monthly payment of $708 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Read full report on University of Chicago

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois
2,722 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$52,286 Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,402 Average Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 in the Great Lakes Region on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,722 students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Northwestern make an average of $52,286 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $16,402 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $576 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Full Northwestern University Report

3
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
2,848 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$52,524 Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,729 Average Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #3 in the Great Lakes Region on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,848 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame is $52,524 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $19,729 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $578 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Full University of Notre Dame Report

4
9,144 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,289 Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,344 Average Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #4 in the Great Lakes Region on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 9,144 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from U-M go into careers with an average salary of $44,289 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $18,344 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $419.

Learn More About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

5
9,926 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,876 Average Early-Career Earnings
$22,543 Average Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the large public school awarded 9,926 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UW - Madison make an average of $43,876 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $22,543 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $336.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Report

6
9,305 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,801 Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,646 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 9,305 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UIUC make an average of $46,801 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $19,646. Average monthly loan payments are around $415 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report

7
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana
8,338 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,973 Average Early-Career Earnings
$20,165 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, the large public school handed out 8,338 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $46,973 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $20,165 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $359 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Read full report on Purdue University - Main Campus

8
7,959 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$34,162 Average Early-Career Earnings
$20,833 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This large public school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 7,959 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from IU Bloomington make an average of $34,162 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $20,833 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $375 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Indiana University - Bloomington

9
1,541 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$52,318 Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,651 Average Student Debt

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #9. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 1,541 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Case Western make an average of $52,318 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,651. This translates to an average monthly payment of $458 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Learn More About Case Western Reserve University

10
12,018 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,627 Average Early-Career Earnings
$23,495 Average Student Debt

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, the large public school handed out 12,018 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State make an average of $41,627 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $23,495 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $274.

Learn More About Ohio State University - Main Campus

11
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
9,450 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,077 Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,805 Average Student Debt

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #11. This large public school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 9,450 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State is $41,077 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,805 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $428 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Learn More About Michigan State University

12
1,202 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$58,620 Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,210 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, Michigan Technological University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Michigan Tech is a public institution located in Houghton, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,202 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $58,620 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,210 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $294.

Read full report on Michigan Technological University

13
4,902 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,113 Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,512 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school located in Oxford, Ohio that handed out 4,902 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Miami University - Oxford make an average of $42,113 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,512 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $490 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Learn More About Miami University - Oxford

14
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2,386 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$45,747 Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,534 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Marquette University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2,386 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Marquette make an average of $45,747 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,534 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $485 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Read full report on Marquette University

15
Butler crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, Indiana
1,107 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$45,331 Average Early-Career Earnings
$21,333 Average Student Debt

Butler University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Butler University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 1,107 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Butler is $45,331 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $21,333.

Learn More About Butler University

16
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
3,353 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$39,070 Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,173 Average Student Debt

Loyola University Chicago ranked #16 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 3,353 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Chicago is $39,070 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,173. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $652.

Learn More About Loyola University Chicago

17
6,500 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,027 Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,817 Average Student Debt

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,500 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UC make an average of $43,027 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,817 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $293.

Read full report on University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

18
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio
604 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$33,134 Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,133 Average Student Debt

Denison University landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Granville, Ohio, and it awarded 604 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Denison is $33,134 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,133 after getting their degree.

Learn More About Denison University

19
DePauw crest
DePauw University
Greencastle, Indiana
583 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$39,696 Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,280 Average Student Debt

DePauw University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. DePauw University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Greencastle, Indiana that handed out 583 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from DePauw go into careers with an average salary of $39,696 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,280. This translates to an average monthly payment of $628 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Read full report on DePauw University

20
2,123 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$47,511 Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,368 Average Student Debt

University of Dayton ranked #20 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UDayton is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 2,123 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UDayton make an average of $47,511 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,368. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $549.

Full University of Dayton Report

21
Kettering crest
Kettering University
Flint, Michigan
435 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$74,542 Average Early-Career Earnings
$29,397 Average Student Debt

Kettering University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Flint, Michigan that handed out 435 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Kettering go into careers with an average salary of $74,542 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $29,397. Average monthly loan payments are around $313 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Learn More About Kettering University

22
5,247 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$39,988 Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,837 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 5,247 students in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UIC is $39,988 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $19,837. This translates to an average monthly payment of $259 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Report

23
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois
3,335 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$37,199 Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,227 Average Student Debt

DePaul University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. DePaul is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 3,335 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from DePaul make an average of $37,199 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,227 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $517 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Learn More About DePaul University

24
6,797 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$40,568 Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,557 Average Student Debt

Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. OHIO Athens is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,797 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from OHIO Athens make an average of $40,568 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,557 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $348 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Learn More About Ohio University - Athens Campus

25
Kenyon crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio
383 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$35,728 Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,138 Average Student Debt

Kenyon College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Kenyon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Gambier, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 383 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Kenyon make an average of $35,728 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $17,138.

Learn More About Kenyon College

Rest of the Top 15% Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Not only did these schools make the top 34 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
Oberlin Crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio
29
30
31
Wheaton College Illinois Crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
32
33
Ball State Crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

34
Xavier Crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, Ohio

Narrow Bachelor's Degree Schools by State

View Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
35Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, IL
36University of Wisconsin - Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI
37Bradley UniversityPeoria, IL
38Indiana Wesleyan University - National & GlobalMarion, IN
39Concordia University, ChicagoRiver Forest, IL
40University of Wisconsin - WhitewaterWhitewater, WI
41Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI
42Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI
43Kent State University at KentKent, OH
44Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette, IN
45Wabash CollegeCrawfordsville, IN

More Rankings >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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