50 best colleges in the Midwest
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
50 best colleges in the Midwest
Statue and Golden Dome on the campus of Notre Dame University.
Some of the best Midwestern colleges and universities can thank the Morrill Act of 1862 for their existence. This law gave states 30,000 acres of federal land to establish institutions that offered practical and agricultural education to a wider public. Today, many of these land-grant colleges have a history of being powerhouse research institutions, boasting developments like the first internet browser and the performance of the first successful open-heart surgery.
After the 2008 recession, many colleges in the Midwest faced problems of disinvestment; higher education is generally an easy target for budget cuts from state governments looking to save money; however, some states have begun to make up ground. For example, in 2019, Illinois passed a new budget with significant increases in funding for many colleges and universities across the state. Many schools across the region are fighting to attract students away from the coasts and into America’s heartland, focusing resources on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education as the “Silicon Prairie” develops. Of course, many of the schools on this list also have a rich tradition of college sports, especially football, which contributes to the rah-rah campus culture.
America’s heartland claims several well-respected institutions of higher education, including famed public research universities and renowned small liberal arts colleges. Using Niche’s 2023 Best Colleges in America list, Stacker found the best 50 schools in the Midwest. Niche’s rankings use data from the Department of Education on academics, admissions, and student life, along with reviews from current students and alumni. Only colleges located in Midwestern states—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin—were included.
Click through our list to find which colleges made the cut, and if the top spot went to a big-name football school, a land-grant institution, or a bucolic liberal arts campus.
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#50. Lake Forest College
Exterior shot of Lake Forest College and Reid Hall.
– Location: Lake Forest, Illinois
– Acceptance rate: 58%
– Net price: $26,968
– SAT range: 1020-1240
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $50,900
– Overall rank: #239
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#49. Gustavus Adolphus College
C. Charles Jackson Campus Center on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College.
– Location: St. Peter, Minnesota
– Acceptance rate: 71%
– Net price: $26,701
– SAT range: 1080-1340
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $51,700
– Overall rank: #237
Moody Bible Institute, Crowell Hall with archway under a blue sky.
#48. Moody Bible Institute
ChicagoPhotographer // Shutterstock
– Location: Chicago, Illinois
– Acceptance rate: 98%
– Net price: $18,790
– SAT range: 990-1200
– Median earnings six years after graduation: No data available
– Overall rank: #236
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#47. Hope College
A sign for Hope College surrounded by flowers with historic buildings in the background.
– Location: Holland, Michigan
– Acceptance rate: 78%
– Net price: $30,320
– SAT range: 1130-1330
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $46,200
– Overall rank: #235
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#46. Ohio University
The Ohio University campus with a green lawn.
– Location: Athens, Ohio
– Acceptance rate: 87%
– Net price: $23,307
– SAT range: 1050-1250
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $40,500
– Overall rank: #234
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#45. University of Illinois Chicago
A University of Illinois at Chicago blue sign.
– Location: Chicago, Illinois
– Acceptance rate: 73%
– Net price: $12,614
– SAT range: 1030-1250
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $54,300
– Overall rank: #229
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
#44. Marquette University
An old stone church undergoing renovations on Marquette University campus.
– Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
– Acceptance rate: 82%
– Net price: $34,732
– SAT range: 1160-1340
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $62,600
– Overall rank: #228
EmilyMarvin // Wikimedia Commons
#43. Illinois Wesleyan University
A large brick library with glass windows in the front.
– Location: Bloomington, Illinois
– Acceptance rate: 57%
– Net price: $32,545
– SAT range: 1100-1300
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $59,100
– Overall rank: #222
Carlos Yudica // Shutterstock
#42. DePaul University
A historic brown stone ornate building.
– Location: Chicago, Illinois
– Acceptance rate: 70%
– Net price: $33,319
– SAT range: 1050-1260
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $53,300
– Overall rank: #213
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#41. College of Wooster
A stone castle-like structure.
– Location: Wooster, Ohio
– Acceptance rate: 65%
– Net price: $27,923
– SAT range: 1150-1380
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $46,300
– Overall rank: #210
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#40. Oberlin College
A gray stone round building.
– Location: Oberlin, Ohio
– Acceptance rate: 35%
– Net price: $42,745
– SAT range: 1270-1360
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $40,800
– Overall rank: #209
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#39. University of St. Thomas – Minnesota
A large courtyard with university buildings lining the sides.
– Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
– Acceptance rate: 87%
– Net price: $31,799
– SAT range: 1130-1340
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $56,800
– Overall rank: #203
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
#38. Cedarville University
A red brick building with large windows.
– Location: Cedarville, Ohio
– Acceptance rate: 59%
– Net price: $24,965
– SAT range: 1110-1350
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $41,300
– Overall rank: #199
SkyBlodgett // Shutterstock
#37. Lawrence University
An aerial view of a large university campus.
– Location: Appleton, Wisconsin
– Acceptance rate: 69%
– Net price: $26,594
– SAT range: 1190-1410
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $44,100
– Overall rank: #198
Rosemarie Mosteller // Shutterstock
#36. College of the Ozarks
A white stone sign for College of the Ozarks.
– Location: Point Lookout, Missouri
– Acceptance rate: 14%
– Net price: $7,505
– SAT range: 1090-1240
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $32,500
– Overall rank: #194
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dinos // Wikimedia Commons
#35. South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Dinosaur fossils at the museum at South Dakota School of Mines.
– Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
– Acceptance rate: 86%
– Net price: $19,799
– SAT range: 1150-1350
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $56,500
– Overall rank: #188
Paperraven // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Kansas State University
A historic white stone building.
– Location: Manhattan, Kansas
– Acceptance rate: 95%
– Net price: $18,494
– SAT range: —
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $45,600
– Overall rank: #185
Picture Des Moines // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Drake University
A red brick entrance wall and black sign for Drake University.
– Location: Des Moines, Iowa
– Acceptance rate: 68%
– Net price: $30,321
– SAT range: 1110-1340
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $58,300
– Overall rank: #182
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#32. Andrews University
College students walking together.
– Location: Berrien Springs, Michigan
– Acceptance rate: 49%
– Net price: $22,850
– SAT range: 1030-1380
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $45,200
– Overall rank: #180
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
#31. DePauw University
A historic gray stone building.
– Location: Greencastle, Indiana
– Acceptance rate: 68%
– Net price: $30,183
– SAT range: 1110-1360
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $54,000
– Overall rank: #177
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#30. University of Missouri
A large historic brick builing with large columns on the lawn in front and a lit stone sign and flowers in the foreground.
– Location: Columbia, Missouri
– Acceptance rate: 82%
– Net price: $16,930
– SAT range: 1110-1320
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,300
– Overall rank: #156
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#29. The University of Kansas
A rectangular stone sign for University of Kansas.
– Location: Lawrence, Kansas
– Acceptance rate: 91%
– Net price: $20,054
– SAT range: 1070-1320
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,800
– Overall rank: #155
Wally // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Wabash College
A large green lawn with a red brick building and a tall white clocktower.
– Location: Crawfordsville, Indiana
– Acceptance rate: 63%
– Net price: $24,412
– SAT range: 1120-1320
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $56,300
– Overall rank: #153
Nheyob // Wikimedia Commons
#27. University of Dayton
Several large dark red brick buildings with white trim and a clocktower.
– Location: Dayton, Ohio
– Acceptance rate: 81%
– Net price: $32,768
– SAT range: 1080-1300
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $55,100
– Overall rank: #150
Chamberednautilus // Wikimedia Commons
#26. Denison University
A tree-lined path leading to a red brick building with a tower.
– Location: Granville, Ohio
– Acceptance rate: 28%
– Net price: $39,808
– SAT range: 1220-1430
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,800
– Overall rank: #142
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#25. St. Olaf College
A historic red and black building with an American flag on top.
– Location: Northfield, Minnesota
– Acceptance rate: 51%
– Net price: $27,838
– SAT range: 1150-1390
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $50,400
– Overall rank: #140
EQRoy // Shutterstock
#24. Iowa State University
A large green lawn full of students with a clocktower.
– Location: Ames, Iowa
– Acceptance rate: 88%
– Net price: $16,105
– SAT range: 1010-1310
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $50,700
– Overall rank: #133
STLJB // Shutterstock
#23. Saint Louis University
A large brick and iron arch sign for Saint Louis University.
– Location: St. Louis, Missouri
– Acceptance rate: 56%
– Net price: $27,872
– SAT range: 1160-1370
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $56,500
– Overall rank: #132
Andrew Higley // Wikimedia Commons
#22. University of Cincinnati
A long brick building.
– Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
– Acceptance rate: 76%
– Net price: $22,767
– SAT range: 1120-1330
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $42,300
– Overall rank: #131
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#21. Wheaton College – Illinois
Looking up at a historic building with a white ornate top.
– Location: Wheaton, Illinois
– Acceptance rate: 87%
– Net price: $27,474
– SAT range: 1210-1450
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,400
– Overall rank: #125
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Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons
#20. University of Iowa
A large greek style stone building with columns.
– Location: Iowa City, Iowa
– Acceptance rate: 84%
– Net price: $17,452
– SAT range: 1110-1310
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $51,900
– Overall rank: #123
ehrlif // Shutterstock
#19. Michigan Technological University
A stone sign for Michigan Tech surrounded by greenery.
– Location: Houghton, Michigan
– Acceptance rate: 70%
– Net price: $17,356
– SAT range: 1160-1350
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $66,400
– Overall rank: #114
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
#18. Indiana University – Bloomington
A historic stone building with a red clock in the courtyard.
– Location: Bloomington, Indiana
– Acceptance rate: 80%
– Net price: $13,191
– SAT range: 1120-1350
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $47,700
– Overall rank: #113
Waterlizard403 // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
A brick building with a modern glass front.
– Location: Terre Haute, Indiana
– Acceptance rate: 77%
– Net price: $43,606
– SAT range: 1260-1460
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $80,900
– Overall rank: #109
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#16. Michigan State University
A round glass building with a Michigan State University sign in front.
– Location: East Lansing, Michigan
– Acceptance rate: 76%
– Net price: $16,655
– SAT range: 1100-1300
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $53,600
– Overall rank: #103
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#15. University of Minnesota Twin Cities
A brick building with a University of Minnesota sign in front.
– Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
– Acceptance rate: 70%
– Net price: $17,729
– SAT range: 1240-1460
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $51,900
– Overall rank: #92
Curt Smith // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Kenyon College
A long four story stone building with windows.
– Location: Gambier, Ohio
– Acceptance rate: 37%
– Net price: $40,862
– SAT range: 1280-1460
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,700
– Overall rank: #87
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
#13. Macalester College
A brick building in the snow.
– Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
– Acceptance rate: 39%
– Net price: $35,589
– SAT range: 1280-1450
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $47,600
– Overall rank: #84
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#12. The Ohio State University
A brick building with a clocktower on top.
– Location: Columbus, Ohio
– Acceptance rate: 68%
– Net price: $18,884
– SAT range: 1210-1430
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $46,100
– Overall rank: #80
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#11. Purdue University
A large archway entrance sign to Purdue University.
– Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
– Acceptance rate: 67%
– Net price: $12,294
– SAT range: 1170-1420
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $55,100
– Overall rank: #79
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#10. Carleton College
A brick building with a silver dome on top.
– Location: Northfield, Minnesota
– Acceptance rate: 21%
– Net price: $30,843
– SAT range: 1330-1520
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $54,200
– Overall rank: #77
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
#9. Grinnell College
The Grinnell College entrance sign.
– Location: Grinnell, Iowa
– Acceptance rate: 19%
– Net price: $32,091
– SAT range: 1370-1540
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $49,100
– Overall rank: #73
Kim Willems // Shutterstock
#8. Case Western Reserve University
A large stone building with a Case Western Reserve University sign in front.
– Location: Cleveland, Ohio
– Acceptance rate: 30%
– Net price: $36,002
– SAT range: 1340-1520
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $74,600
– Overall rank: #65
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#7. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
A brick building with a large green dome on top.
– Location: Urbana, Illinois
– Acceptance rate: 63%
– Net price: $13,517
– SAT range: 1200-1460
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $61,500
– Overall rank: #59
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#6. University of Wisconsin
Tall stone steps leading up to a brick building.
– Location: Madison, Wisconsin
– Acceptance rate: 57%
– Net price: $14,030
– SAT range: 1260-1460
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $56,200
– Overall rank: #53
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#5. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
A blue sign for University of Michigan.
– Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
– Acceptance rate: 26%
– Net price: $17,832
– SAT range: 1340-1520
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $63,400
– Overall rank: #25
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#4. University of Notre Dame
An aerial view of Notre Dame campus with a gold dome on top.
– Location: Notre Dame, Indiana
– Acceptance rate: 19%
– Net price: $29,981
– SAT range: 1400-1550
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $78,400
– Overall rank: #19
EQRoy // Shutterstock
#3. University of Chicago
A University of Chicago sign.
– Location: Chicago, Illinois
– Acceptance rate: 7%
– Net price: $36,584
– SAT range: 1500-1570
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $68,100
– Overall rank: #16
Unknown // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Washington University in St. Louis
A large historic brick building.
– Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
– Acceptance rate: 16%
– Net price: $27,233
– SAT range: 1480-1560
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $70,100
– Overall rank: #15
Madcoverboy // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Northwestern University
A gothic looking stone building.
– Location: Evanston, Illinois
– Acceptance rate: 9%
– Net price: $28,344
– SAT range: 1430-1550
– Median earnings six years after graduation: $69,000
– Overall rank: #14
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