2023 Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 295 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Notre Dame the best school in the Great Lakes Region for students working on their degree.
On average, students take out $19,395 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $578, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Notre Dame, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,860 during the early years of their career.
Out of the 295 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the # 2 spot on the list.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,000 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $576.After graduating from Northwestern, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $69,538 during the early years of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,217 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $708. Once they receive their degree, UChicago graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,519 during the early year of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kettering University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $313. Once they receive their degree, Kettering graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $83,324 during the early year of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend DePauw University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,975 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $628, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, DePauw graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,696 during the early year of their career.
Denison University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,039 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Denison graduates make an average of $33,134 annually.
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,682 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $419, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, U-M graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,051 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,865 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $336. During the early years of their career, UW - Madison graduates make an average of $50,802 annually.
With a ranking of #9, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.
On average, students take out $18,891 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $415. During the early years of their career, UIUC graduates make an average of $53,270 annually.
Purdue University - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
On average, students take out $19,291 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $358. Once they receive their degree, Purdue graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,430 during the early year of their career.
Butler University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,025 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Butler graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $67,108 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #12, Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,212 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $401 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,102 during the early years of their career.
Michigan Technological University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,749 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $294, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Michigan Tech graduates make an average of $60,470 annually.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
On average, students take out $19,738 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Madison College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,202 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.
On average, students take out $22,366 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $158, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UW - La Crosse graduates make an average of $43,651 annually.
Marquette University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Degree recipients from Marquette accumulate an average of $21,711 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $485. During the early years of their career, Marquette graduates make an average of $52,581 annually.
University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #17 on the list.
Degree recipients from UW - River Falls accumulate an average of $24,659 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $115, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UW - River Falls, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,815 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #18, Kenyon College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.
Once they receive their degree, Kenyon graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,728 during the early year of their career.
Michigan State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Degree recipients from Michigan State accumulate an average of $24,447 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $428 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Michigan State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,302 during the early year of their career.
Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.
Degree recipients from IU Bloomington accumulate an average of $19,851 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $395.After graduating from IU Bloomington, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,025 during the early years of their career.
Saint Mary’s College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,729 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, St. Mary’s College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,893 during the early year of their career.
University of Wisconsin - Stout landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.
Degree recipients from UW - Stout accumulate an average of $24,863 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $157 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UW - Stout graduates make an average of $46,261 annually.
Rasmussen University - Illinois came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $30,604 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $127 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rasmussen University - Illinois graduates make an average of $41,940 annually.
With a ranking of #24, Milwaukee School of Engineering did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,296 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $293, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, MSOE graduates make an average of $63,379 annually.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
On average, students take out $14,511 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, FVTC graduates make an average of $36,943 annually.
Rest of the Top 15% Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 45 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Best Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | Carroll University | Waukesha, WI |
| 47 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN |
| 48 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater | Whitewater, WI |
| 49 | Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac, WI |
| 50 | The University of Findlay | Findlay, OH |
| 51 | Miami University - Oxford | Oxford, OH |
| 52 | University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI |
| 53 | Macomb Community College | Warren, MI |
| 54 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | Cincinnati, OH |
| 55 | Miami University - Hamilton | Hamilton, OH |
| 56 | William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL |
| 57 | Wheaton College Illinois | Wheaton, IL |
| 58 | Viterbo University | La Crosse, WI |
| 59 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL |
| 60 | Oberlin College | Oberlin, OH |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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