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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #81 | National Louis UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $45,799 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,357 | 93.1% | 36.9% |
| #82 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | Milwaukee, WI | $78,257 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,364 | 87.4% | 80.1% |
| #83 | Kearney, NE | $50,105 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,187 | 85.8% | 59.8% | |
| #84 | Cincinnati, OH | $54,810 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,108 | 87.7% | 71.5% | |
| #85 | Saint Paul, MN | $59,871 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,356 | 74.9% | 58.8% | |
| #86 | Kettering UniversityPrivate | Flint, MI | $94,823 Median Earnings (10yr) | $27,584 | 79.1% | 70.5% |
| #87 | Charleston, IL | $51,989 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,412 | 67.8% | 45.2% | |
| #88 | Terre Haute, IN | $101,253 Median Earnings (10yr) | $33,862 | 72.8% | 81.7% | |
| #89 | Menomonie, WI | $58,084 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,499 | 84.7% | 52.5% | |
| #90 | Kenyon CollegePrivate | Gambier, OH | $71,830 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,865 | 30.7% | 86.8% |
| #91 | Elmhurst UniversityPrivate | Elmhurst, IL | $61,462 Median Earnings (10yr) | $14,641 | 75.7% | 65.2% |
| #92 | Springfield, MO | $49,827 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,238 | 91.0% | 57.3% | |
| #93 | Albion CollegePrivate | Albion, MI | $58,799 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,241 | 83.2% | 57.1% |
| #94 | Illinois Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Bloomington, IL | $70,871 Median Earnings (10yr) | $21,011 | 45.2% | 82.5% |
| #95 | Indiana University-EastPublic | Richmond, IN | $47,156 Median Earnings (10yr) | $5,216 | 71.2% | 45.4% |
| #96 | Avila UniversityPrivate | Kansas City, MO | $52,773 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,998 | 59.5% | 42.6% |
| #97 | Winona State UniversityPublic | Winona, MN | $58,532 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,400 | 68.5% | 60.9% |
| #98 | Oshkosh, WI | $55,548 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,232 | 86.7% | 57.9% | |
| #99 | Duluth, MN | $62,616 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,393 | 81.8% | 64.5% | |
| #100 | South Bend, IN | $44,947 Median Earnings (10yr) | $4,347 | 86.0% | 35.7% |
