Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Mobility in the Midwest
Updated
Regional list from Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Mobility
This page ranks 46 Liberal Arts colleges in the Midwest by median earnings of all students ten years after entry. Schools first had to sit at or above the 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar; those that qualified are ordered by the school's median earnings of all students ten years after entry, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page.
University of Notre Dame ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $99,980 for its students ten years after entry. Across the listed schools, the median figure is $55,452, and the range stretches from $99,980 to $45,388.
The list is overwhelmingly public: 91% of the 46 institutions are public, with 4 private nonprofits. Ferris State University posts the lowest average net price at $8,624, and Northwestern University ranks 89th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 10 years after entry | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Pell share | Mobility percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame, IN | $99,980 | $26,780 | $7,244 | 13.7% | 87th |
| University of Notre Dame reports median earnings of $99,980 for all students ten years after entry, the highest on this list. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($60,369) | ||||||
| 2 | University of Chicago · Chicago, IL | $91,885 | $14,860 | -$1,264* | 15.3% | 86th |
| With an average net price of $14,860, University of Chicago sits at the 86th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (20 graduates) | ||||||
| 3 | Northwestern University · Evanston, IL | $89,363 | $29,167 | $1,764 | 18.6% | 89th |
| Northwestern University posts an average net price of $1,764 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 3rd on this page. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (6 graduates) | ||||||
| 4 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI | $83,648 | $13,138 | $1,043 | 18.1% | 97th |
| A public university in Ann Arbor, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor shows median earnings of $83,648 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (53 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($67,859) | ||||||
| 5 | Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN | $72,424 | $14,600 | $5,098 | 13.0% | 95th |
| Purdue University-Main Campus reaches the 95th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a Pell share of 13%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (11 graduates) | ||||||
| 6 | DePaul University · Chicago, IL | $68,751 | $30,902 | $27,359 | 31.8% | 86th |
| DePaul University reports median earnings of $68,751 for all students ten years after entry, alongside an average net price of $30,902. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (67 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($86,444) | ||||||
| 7 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $67,253 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 20.1% | 98th |
| At Michigan State University, the share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants is 20% and the school sits at the 98th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,436) | ||||||
| 8 | University of Iowa · Iowa City, IA | $64,762 | $22,531 | $15,316 | 18.4% | 91st |
| University of Iowa posts an average net price of $15,316 for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $64,762 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (183 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($61,200) | ||||||
| 9 | Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN | $63,742 | $16,264 | $6,324 | 16.8% | 94th |
| Ranking 9th on this list, Indiana University-Bloomington reports an average net price of $16,264. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (189 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($52,020) | ||||||
| 10 | University of North Dakota · Grand Forks, ND | $63,552 | $18,551 | $13,126 | 17.2% | 76th |
| University of North Dakota reaches the 76th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, with median earnings of $63,552 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (101 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($71,538) | ||||||
| 11 | University of Missouri-Columbia · Columbia, MO | $63,403 | $20,268 | $13,841 | 20.1% | 92nd |
| A Pell share of 20% and an average net price of $20,268 are reported by University of Missouri-Columbia. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (85 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($65,029) | ||||||
| 12 | Iowa State University · Ames, IA | $63,386 | $18,589 | $10,582 | 18.8% | 92nd |
| Iowa State University reports median earnings of $63,386 for all students ten years after entry, ranking 12th on this page. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (70 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($54,889) | ||||||
| 13 | Illinois State University · Normal, IL | $62,117 | $19,398 | $11,568 | 32.1% | 94th |
| Illinois State University reports median earnings of $62,117 for its students ten years after entry, and sits at the 94th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (91 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($50,744) | ||||||
| 14 | University of Kansas · Lawrence, KS | $61,945 | $18,059 | $12,544 | 20.5% | 90th |
| With an average net price of $18,059, University of Kansas ranks 14th on this list and shows a Pell share of 20%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (87 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($58,777) | ||||||
| 15 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | $60,409 | $17,339 | $4,885 | 20.2% | 96th |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus posts median earnings of $60,409 ten years after entry, alongside an average net price of $4,885 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($54,529) | ||||||
| 16 | University of Michigan-Dearborn · Dearborn, MI | $59,649 | $9,492 | $7,211 | 46.2% | 90th |
| Ranking 16th on this list, University of Michigan-Dearborn reports a Pell share of 46% and median earnings of $59,649 for its students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($49,268) | ||||||
| 17 | University of Missouri-Kansas City · Kansas City, MO | $59,637 | $13,310 | $10,576 | 26.4% | 76th |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City sits at the 76th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $13,310. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (120 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($52,117) | ||||||
| 18 | Oakland University · Rochester Hills, MI | $58,612 | $9,120 | $4,422 | 32.0% | 88th |
| A public university in Rochester Hills, Oakland University reports median earnings of $58,612 ten years after entry and an average net price of $4,422 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (133 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($63,534) | ||||||
| 19 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire · Eau Claire, WI | $58,561 | $16,550 | $10,270 | 19.6% | 82nd |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire ranks 19th on this list, with a Pell share of 20% and median earnings of $58,561 for its students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($53,957) | ||||||
| 20 | Governors State University · University Park, IL | $58,169 | $12,329 | $9,563 | 53.6% | 78th |
| With a Pell share of 54%, Governors State University reports median earnings of $58,169 ten years after entry and an average net price of $12,329. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (103 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($50,703) | ||||||
| 21 | Northern Illinois University · Dekalb, IL | $57,808 | $13,391 | $10,126 | 47.3% | 92nd |
| Northern Illinois University sits at the 92nd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, and reports an average net price of $10,126 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (75 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($57,697) | ||||||
| 22 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $56,118 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 29.2% | 92nd |
| Ranking 22nd on this list, Grand Valley State University posts median earnings of $56,118 ten years after entry and a Pell share of 29%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (95 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,497) | ||||||
| 23 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh · Oshkosh, WI | $55,548 | $14,305 | $9,236 | 16.1% | 73rd |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh reports an average net price of $14,305, and its students earn a median of $55,548 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (22 graduates) | ||||||
| 24 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater · Whitewater, WI | $55,356 | $14,158 | $8,440 | 25.2% | 88th |
| A public university in Whitewater, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater sits at the 88th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $55,356 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (27 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($60,241) | ||||||
| 25 | Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN | $55,198 | $11,668 | $5,701 | 37.3% | 89th |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis ranks 25th on this list and posts median earnings of $55,198 for all students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (188 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,718) | ||||||
| 26 | University of Northern Iowa · Cedar Falls, IA | $55,177 | $15,901 | $10,863 | 27.4% | 84th |
| With an average net price of $15,901, University of Northern Iowa sits at the 84th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (57 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,712) | ||||||
| 27 | Ferris State University · Big Rapids, MI | $54,735 | $8,624 | $2,556 | 34.2% | 84th |
| Ferris State University reports an average net price of $2,556 for families earning under $30,000 and a Pell share of 34%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (43 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($54,837) | ||||||
| 28 | Western Illinois University · Macomb, IL | $54,163 | $12,937 | $6,941 | 28.1% | 70th |
| Western Illinois University ranks 28th on this page, with median earnings of $54,163 for all students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (131 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($55,944) | ||||||
| 29 | University of Nebraska at Omaha · Omaha, NE | $53,909 | $13,441 | $10,534 | 34.6% | 85th |
| A public university in Omaha, University of Nebraska at Omaha sits at the 85th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (399 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($55,947) | ||||||
| 30 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $53,493 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 45.7% | 95th |
| Wayne State University reports a Pell share of 46% and median earnings of $53,493 for all students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($66,426) | ||||||
| 31 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL | $53,390 | $13,297 | $9,415 | 38.8% | 88th |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale ranks 31st on this list, with an average net price of $13,297. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (44 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($43,236) | ||||||
| 32 | University of Missouri-St Louis · Saint Louis, MO | $53,037 | $15,071 | $13,031 | 18.4% | 70th |
| University of Missouri-St Louis posts median earnings of $53,037 for all students ten years after entry and a Pell share of 18%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (70 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,187) | ||||||
| 33 | Ohio University-Main Campus · Athens, OH | $52,581 | $21,637 | $15,673 | 21.2% | 74th |
| Ohio University-Main Campus reports an average net price of $15,673 for families earning under $30,000 and sits at the 74th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (77 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($53,206) | ||||||
| 34 | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay · Green Bay, WI | $52,528 | $13,369 | $9,144 | 21.8% | 72nd |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay ranks 34th on this page, with median earnings of $52,528 for all students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (128 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($58,093) | ||||||
| 35 | Northeastern Illinois University · Chicago, IL | $52,234 | $14,109 | $13,709 | 55.7% | 80th |
| Northeastern Illinois University reports a Pell share of 56% and an average net price of $14,109. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (106 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($55,569) | ||||||
| 36 | Eastern Illinois University · Charleston, IL | $51,989 | $12,786 | $9,828 | 29.4% | 70th |
| Eastern Illinois University sits at the 70th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts median earnings of $51,989 for all students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (102 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($52,078) | ||||||
| 37 | Ball State University · Muncie, IN | $51,833 | $14,940 | $7,834 | 34.7% | 88th |
| Ball State University posts median earnings of $51,833 ten years after entry and sits at the 88th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (171 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($49,657) | ||||||
| 38 | Wichita State University · Wichita, KS | $51,532 | $13,194 | $9,734 | 30.6% | 73rd |
| With an average net price of $13,194, Wichita State University ranks 38th on this list and reports a Pell share of 31%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (72 graduates) | ||||||
| 39 | University of Toledo · Toledo, OH | $50,632 | $17,249 | $13,524 | 27.5% | 79th |
| University of Toledo reports median earnings of $50,632 ten years after entry and an average net price of $13,524 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (103 graduates) | ||||||
| 40 | University of Nebraska at Kearney · Kearney, NE | $50,105 | $16,242 | $13,066 | 36.9% | 70th |
| Ranking 40th on this list, University of Nebraska at Kearney has a Pell share of 37% and median earnings of $50,105 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (62 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($47,600) | ||||||
| 41 | Missouri State University-Springfield · Springfield, MO | $49,827 | $17,613 | $13,718 | 22.0% | 76th |
| Missouri State University-Springfield sits at the 76th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $17,613. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (70 graduates) | ||||||
| 42 | University of Central Missouri · Warrensburg, MO | $49,560 | $14,462 | $10,965 | 26.8% | 60th |
| A Pell share of 27% and median earnings of $49,560 ten years after entry accompany the 42nd ranking for University of Central Missouri. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (69 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($51,897) | ||||||
| 43 | Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN | $48,387 | $10,873 | $6,455 | 41.6% | 78th |
| Indiana State University reports an average net price of $6,455 for families earning under $30,000 and a Pell share of 42%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (54 graduates) | ||||||
| 44 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $47,896 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 23.1% | 72nd |
| Ranking 44th on this list, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus posts median earnings of $47,896 ten years after entry and sits at the 72nd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (56 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($42,463) | ||||||
| 45 | University of Akron Main Campus · Akron, OH | $46,600 | $13,946 | $10,413 | 29.1% | 60th |
| University of Akron Main Campus reports an average net price of $13,946 and median earnings of $46,600 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($41,900) | ||||||
| 46 | Kent State University at Kent · Kent, OH | $45,388 | $20,787 | $15,280 | 28.5% | 87th |
| With a Pell share of 28% and median earnings of $45,388 ten years after entry, Kent State University at Kent sits at the 87th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (93 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($53,833) | ||||||
* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.
How this list is ordered
Schools first had to sit at or above the 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar; those that qualified are ordered by the school's median earnings of all students ten years after entry, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. The figure captures the median earnings of all federally aided students at each institution, measured ten years after entry among those working and not enrolled. It does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The spread from University of Notre Dame to the bottom of the list is $54,592, with an $8,095 gap between University of Notre Dame and University of Chicago.