Home to 403 ranked institutions, the Midwest offers a diverse higher education landscape anchored by research powerhouses like University of Illinois Chicago and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. This region balances 30% public universities with 70% private colleges, producing graduates who earn a median of $54,778 ten years after enrollment.
Graduates from Midwest institutions earn between $20,948 and $137,047 ten years after enrollment—$1,039 lower than the national average. University of Illinois Chicago leads the rankings with $68,740 in median earnings, while University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates achieve $83,648, demonstrating how institutional selection directly impacts career trajectories and long-term financial outcomes.
While University of Illinois Chicago dominates the overall rankings, students seeking accessible admissions should consider this same institution's balanced profile. With a 78% acceptance rate and strong graduate outcomes producing $68,740 in median earnings, it offers a strategic combination of accessibility and excellence for Midwest-focused students.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | Dominican UniversityPrivate | River Forest, IL | $60,327 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,934 | 79.8% | 62.4% |
| #42 | Lincoln, NE | $56,887 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,899 | 77.1% | 65.8% | |
| #43 | Cleveland, OH | $87,989 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,510 | 28.7% | 87.0% | |
| #44 | Kansas City, MO | $59,637 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,214 | 75.0% | 55.9% | |
| #45 | Ball State UniversityPublic | Muncie, IN | $51,833 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,233 | 71.6% | 63.3% |
| #46 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $68,751 Median Earnings (10yr) | $23,758 | 73.5% | 70.0% |
| #47 | Wichita State UniversityPublic | Wichita, KS | $51,532 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,914 | 94.9% | 51.4% |
| #48 | Grand Forks, ND | $63,552 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,914 | 77.1% | 63.3% | |
| #49 | Carbondale, IL | $53,390 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,928 | 90.4% | 56.3% | |
| #50 | Ypsilanti, MI | $51,793 Median Earnings (10yr) | $14,925 | 81.3% | 45.5% | |
| #51 | Whitewater, WI | $55,356 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,426 | 82.8% | 64.3% | |
| #52 | Rochester, MN | $69,020 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,010 | 71.8% | 56.9% | |
| #53 | Aurora UniversityPrivate | Aurora, IL | $58,709 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,980 | 85.1% | 58.3% |
| #54 | Springfield, IL | $57,103 Median Earnings (10yr) | $4,473 | 84.4% | 61.4% | |
| #55 | College Of The OzarksPrivate | Point Lookout, MO | $41,592 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,214 | 14.9% | 61.3% |
| #56 | Indiana State UniversityPublic | Terre Haute, IN | $48,387 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,702 | 91.5% | 41.1% |
| #57 | Mount Pleasant, MI | $55,874 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,672 | 91.0% | 61.8% | |
| #58 | Canton, OH | $63,582 Median Earnings (10yr) | $20,049 | 41.3% | 51.8% | |
| #59 | La Crosse, WI | $60,378 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,798 | 73.3% | 71.2% | |
| #60 | Platteville, WI | $61,760 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,666 | 87.3% | 61.5% |
