2023 Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Grad Degree Search has created its Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 295 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs were the most popular 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 2023 rankings named University of Michigan - Ann Arbor the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for students working on their degree. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 6,771 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,682 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $419. During the early years of their career, U-M graduates make an average of $58,051 annually. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 6,470 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,000 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $576 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Northwestern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $69,538 during the early year of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a great place for students. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5,812 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UIUC accumulate an average of $18,891 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 $415 if they 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.
Out of the 295 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Chamberlain University - Illinois landed the # 4 spot on the list. Chamberlain - Illinois is a private for-profit institution located in Addison, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,669 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $37,103 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $256 if they 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. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at University of Chicago helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Great Lakes Region . This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 4,642 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UChicago accumulate an average of $15,217 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 $708 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UChicago graduates make an average of $62,519 annually. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large public school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 4,566 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,329 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $285 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,016 during the early year of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #7 on the list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,700 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,340 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $272 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Ohio State graduates make an average of $49,871 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 4,310 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. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
American College of Education came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. American College of Education is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,958 degrees to qualified students.
Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
Purdue University Global landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This large public school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 3,759 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,097 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $133, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Purdue University Global graduates make an average of $43,154 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
With a ranking of #11, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the large public school awarded 3,663 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,801 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $259. Once they receive their degree, UIC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,836 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. This large public school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 3,617 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $395, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, IU Bloomington graduates make an average of $44,025 annually. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Michigan State University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Michigan State University is a large public school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 3,886 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,447 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $428.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. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,458 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Purdue accumulate an average of $19,291 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $358, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Purdue graduates make an average of $53,430 annually. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #15, DePaul University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. DePaul is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 3,047 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,047 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #16 on the list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large public school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 3,055 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from IUPUI accumulate an average of $24,941 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 $173 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from IUPUI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,865 during the early years of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Wayne State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 3,031 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Wayne State accumulate an average of $28,531 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $173, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Wayne State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,414 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Ball State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Muncie, Indiana, the large public school awarded 2,980 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Ball State accumulate an average of $23,205 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 $267.After graduating from Ball State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,329 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.
With a ranking of #19, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. OHIO Athens is a large public school situated in Athens, Ohio. It awarded 2,644 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from OHIO Athens accumulate an average of $22,883 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 $344 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from OHIO Athens, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,584 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Case Western Reserve University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Case Western is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,344 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,022 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $458 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Case Western, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $62,001 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
DeVry University - Illinois landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. DeVry University - Illinois is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,341 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,148 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $163 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DeVry University - Illinois graduates make an average of $48,020 annually. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 2,102 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,930 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $652 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Loyola Chicago graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,459 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Central Michigan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,874 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $29,288 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $251 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Central Michigan, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,509 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Kent State University at Kent landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Kent State University at Kent is a large public school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 1,839 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,694 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $281 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Kent State graduates make an average of $38,945 annually. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large public school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 1,666 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,753 in student loans. 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. Once they receive their degree, UWM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,205 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular 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 Most Popular Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | Miami University - Oxford | Oxford, OH |
| 47 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL |
| 48 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale, IL |
| 49 | University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit, MI |
| 50 | Concordia University, Wisconsin | Mequon, WI |
| 51 | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston, IL |
| 52 | University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN |
| 53 | Rush University | Chicago, IL |
| 54 | University of Michigan - Dearborn | Dearborn, MI |
| 55 | Roosevelt University | Chicago, IL |
| 56 | Xavier University | Cincinnati, OH |
| 57 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL |
| 58 | Midwestern University - Downers Grove | Downers Grove, IL |
| 59 | Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor, MI |
| 60 | Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN |
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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