19 Architecture colleges in the Midwest with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $64,052.
We started with Architecture programs scoring 60th percentile or above for mobility—schools that actually serve low-income students. Then we ranked by earnings. The result: 19 programs that prove accessibility and strong outcomes aren't mutually exclusive.
University Of Notre Dame leads the rankings, producing Architecture graduates earning $99,980 while maintaining an 88th percentile mobility score. At the other end, graduates still earn $45,388—demonstrating that schools serving low-income students deliver competitive outcomes across the board.
University Of Illinois Chicago serves 50% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while still producing graduates earning $68,740. Even better: graduates face just a 7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Access AND affordability delivered.
Earnings: $99,980 | Mobility: 88th percentile
50% Pell students with $68,740 earnings
5.3% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
14.6% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $99,980 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Manageable | 87th percentile mobility |
| #2 | $83,648 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Manageable | 97th percentile mobility | |
| #3 | $81,054 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | 98th percentile mobility | |
| #4 | $73,792 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Manageable | 96th percentile mobility | |
| #5 | $72,424 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Manageable | 95th percentile mobility | |
| #6 | $69,020 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Manageable | 96th percentile mobility | |
| #7 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $68,751 | — | — | — | — | 85th percentile mobility |
| #8 | $68,740 | $16,704 | Excellent | $24,323 | Manageable | 98th percentile mobility | |
| #9 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $63,386 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | Challenging | 92th percentile mobility |
| #10 | $62,203 | $23,199 | Excellent | $14,621 | Manageable | 81th percentile mobility | |
| #11 | $60,409 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Manageable | 96th percentile mobility | |
| #12 | $56,887 | $21,000 | Excellent | $25,798 | Manageable | 89th percentile mobility | |
| #13 | $54,990 | $23,000 | Excellent | $16,149 | Manageable | 90th percentile mobility | |
| #14 | $54,810 | $21,250 | Excellent | $23,602 | Manageable | 88th percentile mobility | |
| #15 | $53,390 | $21,543 | Excellent | $19,500 | Manageable | 88th percentile mobility | |
| #16 | Ball State UniversityPublic | $51,833 | $23,250 | Excellent | $20,800 | Manageable | 88th percentile mobility |
| #17 | Indiana State UniversityPublic | $48,387 | $24,000 | Good | $17,049 | Challenging | 79th percentile mobility |
| #18 | $47,896 | $25,000 | Good | $25,947 | Challenging | 72th percentile mobility | |
| #19 | $45,388 | $24,500 | Good | $21,394 | Challenging | 87th percentile mobility |
Our social mobility rankings answer: "Which schools deliver the best outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds?"
This is not simply "which schools admit the most low-income students" — it's which schools both serve low-income students and deliver strong earnings outcomes.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
