by our College Data Analytics TeamNorthwestern University ranks #1 of 307 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’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 81% six-year graduation rate and $81,933 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, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **307** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 307 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.
Northwestern University leads the 307 ranked colleges in the Great Lakes Region, followed by University Of Chicago (#2) and University Of Michigan Ann Arbor (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 college in the Great Lakes Region. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Early-career graduates earn a median of $78,551. Northwestern University students take on a median of $16,616 in debt.
Out of the 307 colleges in the Great Lakes Region in this year's ranking, University Of Chicago landed the #2 spot. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Median early-career earnings reach $81,002. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top colleges in the Great Lakes Region. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $66,254. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor students take on a median of $19,137 in debt.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in the Great Lakes Region. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $69,494. Graduates carry a median of $19,891 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Madison, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $59,877. Typical student debt is $21,813.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Early-career graduates earn a median of $57,461. Graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus students take on a median of $19,844 in debt.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #8 among the best colleges in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. About 80% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $52,123. The median student debt is $20,542.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best colleges in the Great Lakes Region. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,088. Typical student debt is $22,053.
University Of Dayton placed #10 among the best colleges in the Great Lakes Region. Based in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Median early-career earnings reach $56,077. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete a degree here.
Michigan State University placed #11 among the best colleges in the Great Lakes Region. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,166. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete a degree here.
Butler University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Indianapolis, IN. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,560. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans.
Marquette University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Marquette University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,443 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,122.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,608. Median early-career earnings reach $74,459. Case Western Reserve University students take on a median of $25,106 in debt.
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology landed the #15 spot in the Great Lakes Region this year. Located in Terre Haute, IN, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology graduates 78% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $56,046 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $83,140. Graduates carry a median of $25,148 in student loans.
Miami University Oxford did well this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Oxford, OH. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Miami University Oxford graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,700. The median student debt is $24,177.
Illinois State University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Set in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,660. Typical student debt is $21,896.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #18 spot in the Great Lakes Region this year. Located in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $58,568. The median student debt is $23,521.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $61,829. Graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans.
Kenyon College did well this year, earning the #20 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Gambier, OH. Kenyon College graduates 82% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,520. Early-career graduates earn a median of $37,976. Graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans.
Denison University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Granville, OH, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,000. Denison University graduates report median early-career earnings of $39,797. Typical student debt is $25,360.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #22 among the best colleges in the Great Lakes Region. Located in Detroit, MI, University Of Detroit Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Detroit Mercy posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $76,755. Typical student debt is $29,053.
Depauw University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Greencastle, IN. Depauw University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,070. Median early-career earnings reach $46,127. Typical student debt is $26,174.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #24 among the best colleges in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public school based in La Crosse, WI. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,223. Typical student debt is $23,551.
Depaul University landed the #25 spot in the Great Lakes Region this year. Located in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,405. Early-career graduates earn a median of $55,390. Depaul University students take on a median of $25,340 in debt.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 307 in the Great Lakes Region. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
These 12 colleges rank #51 through #62 of 307 in the Great Lakes Region. These colleges also performed well in our Best Colleges ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | University Of Wisconsin Platteville | Platteville, WI |
| 52 | Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN |
| 53 | Cedarville University | Cedarville, OH |
| 54 | University Of Wisconsin Whitewater | Whitewater, WI |
| 55 | Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL |
| 56 | Lawrence Technological University | Southfield, MI |
| 57 | Kettering University | Flint, MI |
| 58 | Illinois Institute Of Technology | Chicago, IL |
| 59 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL |
| 60 | Aurora University | Aurora, IL |
| 61 | Carroll University | Waukesha, WI |
| 62 | Saint Marys College | Notre Dame, IN |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Colleges are scored on 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.
