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Our analysis found Michigan Technological University to be the best college for Student Athletes (Division II) in the Great Lakes Region. This public school is set in Houghton, MI.
by our College Data Analytics TeamFor student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. This list ranks 26 schools for Student Athletes (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, College Factual evaluates each program using a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and aid per athlete from the EADA survey), and overall school quality, drawing on NCAA, U.S. Department of Education EADA, and IPEDS data. Learn more about our ranking methodology.
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Learn more about these schools below:
Our analysis found Michigan Technological University to be the best college for Student Athletes (Division II) in the Great Lakes Region. This public school is set in Houghton, MI.
Lewis University landed the #2 spot for Student Athletes (Division II). Lewis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Romeoville, IL.
Grand Valley State University landed the #3 spot for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution.
Cedarville University earned the #4 place for student athletes. Based in Cedarville, OH, Cedarville University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Lake Superior State University landed the #5 spot for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Sault Ste Marie, MI, Lake Superior State University is a public institution.
Northwood University ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Midland, MI, Northwood University is a private not-for-profit institution.
University of Indianapolis placed #7 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Located in Indianapolis, IN, University of Indianapolis is a private not-for-profit institution.
Northern Michigan University did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Marquette, MI.
Ashland University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Ashland, OH, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution.
University of Illinois Springfield did well this year, earning the #10 position. University of Illinois Springfield is a public school based in Springfield, IL.
Walsh University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in North Canton, OH.
McKendree University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Lebanon, IL, McKendree University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). This public school is set in University Center, MI.
Ferris State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). This public school is set in Big Rapids, MI.
Davenport University placed #15 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Located in Grand Rapids, MI, Davenport University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Ursuline College placed #16 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Ursuline College is a private not-for-profit school based in Pepper Pike, OH.
Malone University landed the #17 spot this year. Based in Canton, OH, Malone University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Roosevelt University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL.
Quincy University placed #19 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Located in Quincy, IL, Quincy University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Ohio Dominican University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Ohio Dominican University is a private not-for-profit school based in Columbus, OH.
Lake Erie College placed #21 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Lake Erie College is a private not-for-profit school based in Painesville, OH.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #22 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Hammond, IN, Purdue University Northwest is a public institution.
Tiffin University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Tiffin University is a private not-for-profit school based in Tiffin, OH.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Kenosha, WI, University of Wisconsin-Parkside is a public institution.
Shawnee State University placed #25 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). This public school is set in Portsmouth, OH.
These schools rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and athletic aid from the federal EADA survey), and overall school quality. The current methodology measures academic-athletic quality and does not include team win/loss performance.
References
See our data sources and methodologies.