2023 Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region
There are so many business programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Business Degree Central has created its Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 430 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs were the most popular for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Featured schools near , edit
Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Sinclair Community College to be the most popular school for business students in the Great Lakes Region . This fairly large public school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 5,278 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,593 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Sinclair Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,938 during the early years of their career. Around 28% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Ivy Tech Community College is a great place for business students. Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,260 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,847 in student loans.After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,780 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This large public school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 3,917 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,891 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $415. During the early years of their career, UIUC graduates make an average of $53,270 annually. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University Global. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University Global is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 3,744 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Purdue University Global accumulate an average of $36,097 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $133 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Purdue University Global graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,154 during the early year of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at University of Wisconsin - Madison helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in the Great Lakes Region . UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,501 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,865 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $336, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW - Madison graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,802 during the early year of their career. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. This large public school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 3,422 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,851 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $395. During the early years of their career, IU Bloomington graduates make an average of $44,025 annually. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
Michigan State University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,382 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Michigan State accumulate an average of $24,447 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $428. Once they receive their degree, Michigan State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,302 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
DeVry University - Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #7 on the list. DeVry University - Illinois is a private for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,382 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $40,148 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $163. Once they receive their degree, DeVry University - Illinois graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,020 during the early year of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Northwestern University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 3,297 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Northwestern accumulate an average of $19,000 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $576. During the early years of their career, Northwestern graduates make an average of $69,538 annually. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,080 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,340 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $272.After graduating from Ohio State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,871 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
With a ranking of #11, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the large public school awarded 2,419 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from U-M accumulate an average of $17,682 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $419 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, U-M graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,051 during the early year of their career. Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.
DePaul University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. DePaul is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,267 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from DePaul accumulate an average of $24,047 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $517, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, DePaul graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,846 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,258 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,329 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $285.After graduating from UC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,016 during the early years of their career. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.
Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 2,211 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,291 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $358 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Purdue, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,430 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
University of Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #15 on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,935 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,217 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $708 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UChicago graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,519 during the early year of their career. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
Central Michigan University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,802 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,288 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $251 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Central Michigan, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,509 during the early years of their career. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.
Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. OHIO Athens is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,795 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,883 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $344.After graduating from OHIO Athens, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,584 during the early years of their career. Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #18, Grand Valley State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,734 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,527 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $243 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from GVSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,501 during the early years of their career. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.
Eastern Gateway Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This large public school is located in Steubenville, Ohio, and it awarded 1,708 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,095 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Eastern Gateway Community College graduates make an average of $40,112 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
With a ranking of #20, Wayne State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Wayne State is located in Detroit, Michigan and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,617 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Wayne State accumulate an average of $28,531 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $173. Once they receive their degree, Wayne State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,414 during the early year of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Miami University - Oxford ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,606 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,653 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $490 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Miami University - Oxford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,521 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
With a ranking of #22, Illinois State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Illinois State is located in Normal, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,478 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,109 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $312.After graduating from Illinois State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,092 during the early years of their career. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
Kent State University at Kent landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Kent State is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 1,451 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Kent State accumulate an average of $26,694 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $281 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Kent State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,945 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
University of Notre Dame came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,376 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,395 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $578, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Notre Dame, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,860 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 35% were women.
With a ranking of #25, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large public school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 1,369 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $27,753 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $206, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UWM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,205 during the early years of their career. Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Most Popular Business Schools Nationwide >
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Benedictine University | Lisle, IL |
| 52 | Walsh College | Troy, MI |
| 53 | Xavier University | Cincinnati, OH |
| 54 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL |
| 55 | Butler University | Indianapolis, IN |
| 56 | University of Michigan - Dearborn | Dearborn, MI |
| 57 | Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI |
| 58 | Gateway Technical College | Kenosha, WI |
| 59 | Madison Area Technical College | Madison, WI |
| 60 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse | La Crosse, WI |
| 61 | William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL |
| 62 | Roosevelt University | Chicago, IL |
| 63 | Baker College | Owosso, MI |
| 64 | Concordia University, Wisconsin | Mequon, WI |
| 65 | University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI |
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular business schools ranking:
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs.
Visit School
BusinessDegreeCentral.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© BusinessDegreeCentral.com – All Rights Reserved.