2026 Best Science & Tech Schools in Great Lakes
Looking for the best Science & Tech degree programs in Great Lakes? Our ranking highlights 870 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed 719 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Science & Tech Degree Schools in Great Lakes
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found University Of Notre Dame to be the best Science & Tech school in Great Lakes. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $19,891. More on University Of Notre Dame
Out of the 719 schools in Great Lakes in this year's ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $16,616. See the full Northwestern University profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Chicago, which ranked #3 this year. 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%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about University Of Chicago
You'll be in good company at Kettering University, which ranked #4 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Flint, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $46,425. The median Science & Tech program debt is $28,913. Read the full report on Kettering University
Depauw University came in at #5 on this year's Science & Tech ranking in Great Lakes. Set in Greencastle, IN, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Depauw University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,070. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,174. Read the full report on Depauw University
Denison University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Granville, OH, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,000. Denison University Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,360 in debt. Read more about Denison University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #7 among Science & Tech schools in Great Lakes. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. The median Science & Tech program debt is $19,137. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #9 among Science & Tech schools in Great Lakes. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #10 spot in Great Lakes this year. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
Butler University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Butler University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,560. Graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Get the full Butler University report
Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #12 spot in Great Lakes this year. Located in Bloomington, IL, Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $57,704 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Read the full report on Illinois Wesleyan University
Michigan Technological University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Michigan Technological University is a public school based in Houghton, MI. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Michigan Technological University Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,800 in debt. Read more about Michigan Technological University
Madison Area Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Madison Area Technical College is a public school based in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Madison Area Technical College Science & Tech students take on a median of $16,812 in debt. More on Madison Area Technical College
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin La Crosse profile
Marquette University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,170. Graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans. Read the full report on Marquette University
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin River Falls posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $24,245. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin River Falls
Kenyon College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Kenyon College is a private not-for-profit school based in Gambier, OH. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,520. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $18,114. More on Kenyon College
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $25,213. More on Michigan State University
Indiana University Bloomington placed #20 among Science & Tech schools in Great Lakes. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $20,542. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
Saint Marys College placed #21 among Science & Tech schools in Great Lakes. Based in Notre Dame, IN, Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,230. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,938. More on Saint Marys College
University Of Wisconsin Stout did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Menomonie, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Stout posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. University Of Wisconsin Stout Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,821 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stout
Rasmussen College Illinois came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in Rockford, IL, Rasmussen College Illinois is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,581. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $28,798. Get the full Rasmussen College Illinois report
Milwaukee School Of Engineering ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,480. Graduates carry a median of $27,667 in student loans. See the full Milwaukee School Of Engineering profile
Fox Valley Technical College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Fox Valley Technical College Science & Tech students take on a median of $13,319 in debt. See the full Fox Valley Technical College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Science & Tech Degree Schools in Great Lakes
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #26 among Science & Tech schools in Great Lakes. Based in Platteville, WI, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Platteville Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,677 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Platteville
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Wisconsin Lutheran College landed the #28 spot in Great Lakes this year. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates 64% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,110. Graduates carry a median of $26,916 in student loans. Get the full Wisconsin Lutheran College report
Lake Forest College landed the #29 spot in Great Lakes this year. Lake Forest College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lake Forest, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,661. Read the full report on Lake Forest College
Hope College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Holland, MI, Hope College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,484. Graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. More on Hope College
Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus did well this year, earning the #31 position. Located in Angola, IN, Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,176. Students borrow a median of $24,787 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus
Augustana College Illinois ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Rock Island, IL, Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Augustana College Illinois graduates 73% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,764. Read more about Augustana College Illinois
Illinois State University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Illinois State University is a public school based in Normal, IL. Illinois State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full Illinois State University report
University Of Dayton came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,140. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on University Of Dayton
Franklin College placed #35 among Science & Tech schools in Great Lakes. Located in Franklin, IN, Franklin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,710. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Franklin College report
Akron Institute Of Herzing University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Based in Akron, OH, Akron Institute Of Herzing University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,450. Akron Institute Of Herzing University Science & Tech students take on a median of $32,277 in debt. More on Akron Institute Of Herzing University
Saint Norbert College landed the #37 spot in Great Lakes this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in De Pere, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,580. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,578. Read the full report on Saint Norbert College
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #38 spot in Great Lakes this year. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public school based in Eau Claire, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Chippewa Valley Technical College
Ohio Northern University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Ada, OH, Ohio Northern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Ohio Northern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $39,600. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,661. Read more about Ohio Northern University
Case Western Reserve University landed the #40 spot in Great Lakes this year. Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on Case Western Reserve University
University Of St Francis landed the #41 spot in Great Lakes this year. Located in Joliet, IL, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. The median Science & Tech program debt is $25,695. More on University Of St Francis
Calvin College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Calvin College is a private not-for-profit school based in Grand Rapids, MI. Calvin College graduates 74% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on Calvin College
Hanover College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Located in Hanover, IN, Hanover College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,698. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,980. Get the full Hanover College report
John Carroll University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in University Heights, OH, John Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. John Carroll University graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $50,500. Graduates carry a median of $26,131 in student loans. More on John Carroll University
Ohio State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #45 position. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,053 in debt. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
Carroll University placed #46 among Science & Tech schools in Great Lakes. Located in Waukesha, WI, Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,904. More on Carroll University
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Ivy Tech Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $11,889 in debt. See the full Ivy Tech Community College profile
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater did well this year, earning the #48 position. This public school is set in Whitewater, WI. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,306 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Whitewater report
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Fond du Lac, WI, Moraine Park Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. The median Science & Tech program debt is $11,471. Get the full Moraine Park Technical College report
The University Of Findlay did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Findlay, OH, The University Of Findlay is a private not-for-profit institution. The University Of Findlay posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,164. The University Of Findlay Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,759 in debt. Get the full The University Of Findlay report
More Science & Tech Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Region · 719 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 870 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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