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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #61 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | Manhattan, KS | $57,262 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,742 | 79.4% | 70.5% |
| #62 | Wabash CollegePrivate | Crawfordsville, IN | $69,952 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,586 | 62.8% | 77.1% |
| #63 | Carleton CollegePrivate | Northfield, MN | $75,525 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,069 | 22.3% | 91.2% |
| #64 | Augsburg UniversityPrivate | Minneapolis, MN | $58,829 Median Earnings (10yr) | $21,376 | 76.5% | 52.4% |
| #65 | Fargo, ND | $62,203 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,647 | 95.8% | 63.7% | |
| #66 | Eau Claire, WI | $58,561 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,565 | 76.1% | 67.6% | |
| #67 | Macomb, IL | $54,163 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,968 | 75.0% | 44.8% | |
| #68 | Omaha, NE | $65,071 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,264 | 88.3% | 66.7% | |
| #69 | Stevens Point, WI | $52,021 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,953 | 90.1% | 56.0% | |
| #70 | University Of St FrancisPrivate | Joliet, IL | $63,926 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,707 | 63.9% | 64.6% |
| #71 | Flint, MI | $53,230 Median Earnings (10yr) | $5,994 | 68.8% | 44.6% | |
| #72 | Lincoln, NE | $70,845 Median Earnings (10yr) | $26,673 | 62.9% | 75.5% | |
| #73 | Cedar Falls, IA | $55,177 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,170 | 94.4% | 68.9% | |
| #74 | Hammond, IN | $48,318 Median Earnings (10yr) | $4,256 | 70.6% | 44.0% | |
| #75 | Ohio Northern UniversityPrivate | Ada, OH | $80,928 Median Earnings (10yr) | $20,389 | 73.4% | 74.2% |
| #76 | Kokomo, IN | $49,917 Median Earnings (10yr) | $1,299 | 84.7% | 44.8% | |
| #77 | Saint Louis, MO | $53,037 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,019 | 57.2% | 56.9% | |
| #78 | Green Bay, WI | $52,528 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,742 | 87.8% | 53.1% | |
| #79 | Washburn UniversityPublic | Topeka, KS | $49,774 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,589 | — | 52.6% |
| #80 | Saint Louis, MO | $62,105 Median Earnings (10yr) | $21,213 | 93.7% | 71.5% |
