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.
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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 . Located in Dayton, Ohio, the fairly large public school awarded 5,278 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,593 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Sinclair Community College graduates make an average of $32,938 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 28% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ivy Tech Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the large public school handed out 5,260 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,847 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Ivy Tech Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,780 during the early year of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in the Great Lakes Region . University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 3,917 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UIUC accumulate an average of $18,891 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 $415 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UIUC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,270 during the early year of their career. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Purdue University Global helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in the Great Lakes Region . Purdue University Global is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,744 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,097 in student loans. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 57% 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 a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 3,501 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UW - Madison accumulate an average of $20,865 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 $336.After graduating from UW - Madison, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,802 during the early years 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. IU Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,422 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from IU Bloomington accumulate an average of $19,851 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 $395 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from IU Bloomington, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,025 during the early years of their career. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
Michigan State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large public school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 3,382 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,447 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $428 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Michigan State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,302 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
DeVry University - Illinois landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the large private for-profit school awarded 3,382 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,148 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $163 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,000 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $576 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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. Located in Columbus, Ohio, the large public school handed out 3,080 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Ohio State accumulate an average of $22,340 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 $272. During the early years of their career, Ohio State graduates make an average of $49,871 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the large public school handed out 2,419 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,682 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $419. During the early years of their career, U-M graduates make an average of $58,051 annually. 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 large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 2,267 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,047 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $517. Once they receive their degree, DePaul graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,846 during the early year of their career. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,258 degrees to qualified students.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. This large public school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 2,211 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Purdue accumulate an average of $19,291 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 $358 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Purdue graduates make an average of $53,430 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
University of Chicago landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,935 degrees 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $708, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UChicago graduates make an average of $62,519 annually. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
Central Michigan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #16 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 1,802 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $29,288 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. During the early years of their career, Central Michigan graduates make an average of $45,509 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Athens, Ohio, the large public school awarded 1,795 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,883 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $344 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.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. Of those students who received their degree, 41% 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 large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 1,734 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from GVSU accumulate an average of $25,527 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $243, assuming you 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. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Eastern Gateway Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public school situated in Steubenville, Ohio. 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.After graduating from Eastern Gateway Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,112 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
Wayne State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Detroit, Michigan, the large public school handed out 1,617 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $28,531 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $173 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Wayne State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,414 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Miami University - Oxford landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Miami University - Oxford is a public institution located in Oxford, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,606 degrees 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. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $490. Once they receive their degree, Miami University - Oxford graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,521 during the early year of their career. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.
Illinois State University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Illinois State University is a large public school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 1,478 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,109 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $312, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.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 came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Kent State is located in Kent, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,451 degrees to qualified students.
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.After graduating from Kent State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,945 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
University of Notre Dame ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 1,376 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,395 in student loans. 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. Around 35% of those degree recipients 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. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the large public school handed out 1,369 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UWM accumulate an average of $27,753 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 $206.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.
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