2023 Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region
A student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 847 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Ivy Tech Community College to be the most popular school for students in the Great Lakes Region . Ivy Tech Community College is a large public school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 30,789 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,847 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,780 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
The programs at University of Wisconsin - Madison helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Great Lakes Region . UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17,417 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UW - Madison accumulate an average of $20,865 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $336, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UW - Madison, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,802 during the early years of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Ohio State University - Main Campus helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Great Lakes Region . Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16,838 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,340 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $272, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Ohio State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,871 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
The programs at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the large public school handed out 15,915 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,682 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $419, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from U-M, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,051 during the early years of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Great Lakes Region . UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15,117 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $18,891 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $415, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UIUC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,270 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #6, Purdue University Global did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Purdue University Global is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13,709 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Purdue University Global accumulate an average of $36,097 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 $133 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Purdue University Global, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,154 during the early years of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Michigan State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 13,487 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Michigan State accumulate an average of $24,447 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $428, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Michigan State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,302 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Chamberlain University - Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. Chamberlain - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Addison, Illinois. It awarded 12,793 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $37,103 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $256, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Chamberlain - Illinois graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $83,241 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.
Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 12,568 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11,947 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $24,329 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $285. During the early years of their career, UC graduates make an average of $49,016 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, the large public school handed out 11,649 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from IU Bloomington accumulate an average of $19,851 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 $395 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, IU Bloomington graduates make an average of $44,025 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. OHIO Athens is a large public school situated in Athens, Ohio. It awarded 10,380 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,883 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $344, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, OHIO Athens graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,584 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Sinclair Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Dayton, Ohio, the fairly large public school awarded 9,757 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Sinclair Community College accumulate an average of $15,593 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Sinclair Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,938 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
Northwestern University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Evanston, Illinois, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 9,290 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,000 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #15 on the list. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8,910 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UIC accumulate an average of $19,801 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 $259.After graduating from UIC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,836 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. IUPUI is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8,406 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,941 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $173, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, IUPUI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,865 during the early year of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis
With a ranking of #17, Wayne State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Wayne State is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,239 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,531 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $173. Once they receive their degree, Wayne State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,414 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Kent State University at Kent ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Kent, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 7,013 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,694 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $281. Once they receive their degree, Kent State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,945 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
DeVry University - Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #19 on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 6,865 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,148 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $163. During the early years of their career, DeVry University - Illinois graduates make an average of $48,020 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
University of Chicago ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 6,805 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UChicago accumulate an average of $15,217 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $708, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UChicago graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,519 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Ball State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Ball State University is a large public school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 6,756 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,205 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $267. Once they receive their degree, Ball State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,329 during the early year of their career. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #22, Grand Valley State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 6,502 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from GVSU accumulate an average of $25,527 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 $243. During the early years of their career, GVSU graduates make an average of $43,501 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
DePaul University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 6,382 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,047 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $517, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, DePaul graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,846 during the early year of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large public school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 6,303 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UWM accumulate an average of $27,753 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 $206 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UWM graduates make an average of $43,205 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Miami University - Oxford did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 5,964 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Miami University - Oxford accumulate an average of $23,653 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 $490.After graduating from Miami University - Oxford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,521 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Most Popular Schools Nationwide >
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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