2020 Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: Midwest

Below are our rankings of America’s Best Bang for the Buck Colleges—our exclusive list of schools ranked according to how well they help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices. The list is created by isolating the social mobility metrics from the main rankings of four-year institutions. Click here for detailed methodology, here for all of our other rankings, and here to download the full data set.

Rank	Name	8-year graduation rate	Pell/non-Pell grad rate gap	Number of Pell graduates	First-gen students	Median earnings 10 years after entering college	Predicted median earnings 10 yrs after entering college	Net price of attendance for families below $75,000 income	% repaying $1 in loan principal 5 yrs after leaving coll.
1	College of the Ozarks (MO)	68%	-2%	119	33%	33295	29715	9894	100%*
2	National Louis University (IL)	61%	17%	5	48%	44069	33347	14279	53%
3	University of Illinois at Chicago (IL)*	67%	-6%	930	42%	53631	49164	11530	73%
4	University of IL–Urbana-Champaign (IL)*	86%	-6%	1176	24%	59780	57858	11179	82%
5	University of Notre Dame (IN)	96%	-3%	213	10%	74872	70271	12492	95%
6	Milwaukee School of Engineering (WI)	60%	-9%	79	25%	69581	57686	17135	84%
7	Ohio Northern University (OH)	73%	-17%	94	24%	62775	50865	20075	85%
8	College of Saint Benedict (MN)	83%	-4%	107	18%	50960	44085	18518	94%
9	Wilberforce University (OH)	19%	23%	27	44%	32967	28753	12912	39%
10	Illinois State University (IL)*	74%	-11%	504	29%	47003	37368	16220	79%
11	Michigan State University (MI)*	80%	-12%	1252	21%	52742	47696	11582	77%
12	Western Illinois University (IL)*	61%	-15%	357	37%	42812	37069	14533	72%
13	Goshen College (IN)	70%	-15%	30	39%	38300	36211	15449	83%
14	Truman State University (MO)*	71%	-9%	201	21%	44655	43462	9746	84%
15	Lake Forest College (IL)	73%	4%	111	25%	50018	46705	18341	86%
16	Eastern Illinois University (IL)*	63%	-11%	268	34%	41585	35354	12361	69%
17	MO Univ. of Science & Technology (MO)*	68%	-12%	154	22%	68855	61665	12002	87%
18	Northwestern University (IL)	94%	-1%	275	14%	67817	67654	9998	90%
19	Buena Vista University (IA)	61%	-3%	47	36%	39853	35106	16710	72%
20	Dominican University (IL)	65%	-5%	145	50%	46030	46645	16192	72%
21	Wisconsin Lutheran College (WI)	61%	6%	59	29%	40968	42708	16342	82%
22	Metropolitan State University (MN)*	60%	0%	16	37%	47297	45007	14610	65%
23	Beloit College (WI)	79%	7%	58	17%	41435	44735	8614	84%
24	Univ. of Nebraska–Kearney (NE)*	57%	-7%	218	36%	40354	37428	14212	76%
25	Kettering University (MI)	62%	-11%	55	18%	80492	59024	33233	89%
26	Illinois Institute of Technology (IL)	71%	-8%	101	32%	70881	66180	18449	85%
27	Univ. of Wisconsin–Green Bay (WI)*	54%	-3%	145	36%	40050	38642	11641	78%
28	University of Illinois–Springfield (IL)*	57%	-4%	48	37%	44311	42702	10005	67%
29	Indiana Wesleyan University (IN)	66%	-15%	131	48%	49100	40030	15832	63%
30	Fort Hays State University (KS)*	62%	-16%	132	39%	38431	38143	10826	69%
31	Illinois College (IL)	72%	-11%	60	31%	40814	40116	13552	85%
32	University of Wisconsin–Madison (WI)*	85%	-5%	721	17%	55119	58076	11622	88%
33	Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)	81%	0%	126	15%	50705	49339	14806	88%
34	Indiana University–Bloomington (IN)*	78%	-12%	992	22%	47130	46867	8113	78%
35	University of Chicago (IL)	93%	-4%	186	16%	67242	71360	4339	90%
36	Bethel University (IN)	68%	-9%	82	34%	36815	35373	16438	70%
37	University of Northern Iowa (IA)*	67%	-6%	257	23%	44034	41395	13714	78%
38	University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (MI)*	92%	-7%	797	18%	61544	64170	6353	80%
39	Univ. of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (WI)*	63%	-8%	286	31%	40231	43155	11232	83%
40	Millikin University (IL)	63%	-16%	97	31%	43263	36832	18160	74%
41	Mount Mercy University (IA)	70%	-8%	30	30%	44920	42877	18108	78%
42	Univ. of Minnesota–Crookston (MN)*	51%	-6%	41	30%	42583	42539	8561	74%
43	Saint Mary's College (IN)	80%	-4%	70	18%	47255	44458	14959	89%
44	Herzing University (WI)°	34%	12%	13	53%	41020	32353	23305	35%
45	Madonna University (MI)	62%	-3%	36	41%	39975	40055	12923	57%
46	Hiram College (OH)	61%	-5%	75	40%	40166	40398	20567	69%
47	Loras College (IA)	68%	-5%	55	18%	43898	44623	14941	87%
48	Trinity Christian College (IL)	59%	-9%	37	36%	42858	37916	19578	75%
49	Purdue University–Main (IN)*	71%	-9%	910	20%	55962	55308	6753	83%
50	Ripon College (WI)	67%	-5%	53	30%	44709	42252	15460	82%
51	Rockford University (IL)	62%	-9%	19	43%	43399	39080	20700	68%
52	DePauw University (IN)	83%	-10%	91	17%	51839	45696	15961	87%
53	Ashland University (OH)	59%	-11%	115	37%	40332	38964	18043	75%
54	Knox College (IL)	80%	-5%	80	26%	40729	41352	17437	81%
55	University of Iowa (IA)*	71%	-12%	527	22%	51455	47150	11871	78%
56	University of Michigan–Dearborn (MI)*	54%	-5%	197	39%	47913	47515	8857	56%
57	Grinnell College (IA)	88%	-1%	90	16%	46428	51786	14192	91%
58	Bradley University (IL)	75%	-9%	179	22%	53161	49825	19347	81%
59	Washington University in St Louis (MO)	93%	-5%	79	10%	67765	69646	8989	90%
60	Iowa State University (IA)*	70%	-12%	735	20%	50058	48189	11062	80%
61	Purdue Univ. Global–Lincoln (NE)*	42%	7%	1	53%	34313	29775	17664	28%
62	Saint John's University (MN)	79%	-13%	68	15%	59818	54933	17002	92%
63	Huntington University (IN)	62%	-8%	51	30%	35597	36282	17572	84%
64	Oakland City University (IN)	52%	-6%	23	46%	34659	30971	15338	61%
65	Albion College (MI)	70%	-10%	53	22%	47133	44795	12600	84%
66	McKendree University (IL)	58%	-9%	51	35%	46047	42552	17330	68%
67	Lake Superior State University (MI)*	61%	-16%	65	33%	37124	39676	8785	62%
68	MidAmerica Nazarene University (KS)	64%	-5%	32	34%	41918	43207	17619	72%
69	Rochester College (MI)	57%	-12%	17	39%	35503	31507	14565	55%
70	McPherson College (KS)	56%	7%	31	32%	40090	43744	19149	70%
71	Grace College & Theological Seminary (IN)	70%	-8%	71	28%	35814	41391	16755	87%
72	Ursuline College (OH)	59%	-16%	19	34%	45614	37478	15375	60%
73	Carleton College (MN)	93%	-5%	57	14%	53178	56943	13396	93%
74	Valley City State University (ND)*	47%	-18%	18	29%	39379	34492	9854	77%
75	Saint Xavier University (IL)	58%	-21%	132	47%	46196	45056	13135	66%
76	Michigan Technological University (MI)*	68%	-15%	175	18%	65500	60666	10192	84%
77	Chadron State College (NE)*	42%	-4%	64	38%	38223	34976	12552	69%
78	John Carroll University (OH)	72%	-3%	133	19%	53051	50388	20832	80%
79	Baker University (KS)	62%	-4%	32	35%	51014	48531	18982	70%
80	Briar Cliff University (IA)	51%	-11%	35	36%	40928	38906	18142	75%
81	Central Christian College of Kansas (KS)	42%	-5%	23	48%	31932	33485	16720	65%
82	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (MN)	67%	-8%	65	27%	45439	46461	16117	77%
83	Hannibal-LaGrange University (MO)	52%	-13%	24	42%	34514	30378	18865	71%
84	Univ. of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (WI)*	64%	-10%	305	23%	45220	45633	12240	83%
85	Univ. of Wisconsin–La Crosse (WI)*	68%	-13%	234	22%	46753	48009	11367	87%
86	Taylor University (IN)	75%	-5%	85	N/A	37607	41310	20130	87%
87	Spring Arbor University (MI)	59%	-7%	89	36%	40151	38679	16458	65%
88	Mayville State University (ND)*	42%	-9%	15	33%	37831	34474	9744	68%
89	Lewis University (IL)	68%	-7%	149	38%	48530	50773	15774	73%
90	Blackburn College (IL)	44%	-3%	37	40%	38161	35558	12365	65%
91	Greenville University (IL)	61%	-1%	45	30%	37206	38650	17357	73%
92	St. Cloud State University (MN)*	51%	-11%	256	28%	43796	41990	12140	76%
93	University of Minnesota–Morris (MN)*	62%	-16%	74	21%	40534	39925	5260	79%
94	Illinois Wesleyan University (IL)	82%	-7%	72	17%	57535	52666	20730	90%
95	Wabash College (IN)	72%	-10%	54	N/A	55295	48354	14866	78%
96	Wheaton College (IL)	90%	-7%	104	N/A	46293	50745	17826	95%
97	Concordia University Nebraska (NE)	66%	-3%	54	19%	38475	39109	18010	83%
98	Grand View University (IA)	57%	-15%	54	33%	42602	40311	16673	71%
99	Amer. InterCont. Univ.–Online (IL)°	34%	5%	44	56%	39889	40005	12330	32%
100	Nebraska Wesleyan University (NE)	67%	-10%	47	26%	46256	44298	20130	82%
101	St. Olaf College (MN)	88%	-3%	93	12%	48543	53541	12549	91%
102	Hanover College (IN)	68%	-3%	79	25%	44497	42452	17642	81%
103	Marquette University (WI)	79%	-10%	255	19%	60416	54226	21814	85%
104	Mt. Vernon Nazarene Univ. (OH)	57%	-11%	68	38%	42424	39897	18673	73%
105	Hamline University (MN)	65%	-11%	127	22%	49044	45515	17865	80%
106	Univ. of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (WI)*	56%	-11%	250	32%	42231	41969	12314	79%
107	Kalamazoo College (MI)	83%	-3%	61	13%	50473	50370	15665	84%
108	Missouri Southern State Univ. (MO)*	38%	-15%	105	44%	33633	35707	8413	57%
109	Denison University (OH)	82%	-2%	103	18%	49947	50285	16141	83%
110	Augsburg University (MN)	62%	-7%	107	27%	47586	46306	19109	75%
111	Southwestern College (KS)	53%	-23%	21	42%	47112	41466	20617	67%
112	University of Wisconsin–Stout (WI)*	59%	-8%	214	28%	44955	47941	12980	81%
113	Tabor College (KS)	50%	-4%	25	33%	41355	40005	20942	73%
114	Union Institute & University (OH)	70%	-25%	0	55%	41684	38309	19909	62%
115	Winona State University (MN)*	62%	-11%	241	22%	44103	42913	14103	83%
116	Northeastern Illinois University (IL)*	46%	2%	137	50%	37743	41047	17298	64%
117	Ferris State University (MI)*	56%	-12%	112	36%	43793	39898	10640	65%
118	University of Nebraska–Omaha (NE)*	50%	-12%	205	34%	43627	38412	11029	71%
119	Hastings College (NE)	60%	-11%	43	27%	43176	41607	18447	78%
120	Univ. of Wisconsin–Platteville (WI)*	54%	-9%	241	30%	46688	49208	12392	82%
121	Dickinson State University (ND)*	36%	-8%	14	31%	40730	41338	9635	81%
122	Univ. of Minnesota–Duluth (MN)*	61%	-7%	274	19%	46447	48804	9922	81%
123	Ctrl. Meth. U.–Lib. Arts & Sciences (MO)	53%	-2%	56	44%	35326	38527	19364	66%
124	University of Evansville (IN)	67%	-12%	102	26%	41763	43665	17069	83%
125	Indiana State University (IN)*	43%	-7%	488	37%	38006	33812	10376	61%
126	Maranatha Baptist University (WI)	51%	-17%	44	N/A	31838	32808	16882	88%
127	Univ. of Wisconsin–Whitewater (WI)*	62%	-11%	315	31%	42853	45340	11403	74%
128	Grand Valley State University (MI)*	62%	-14%	749	27%	41918	43870	13556	70%
129	Univ. of Wisconsin–River Falls (WI)*	58%	-7%	191	27%	41290	44415	12804	82%
130	Mount St. Joseph University (OH)	55%	-9%	47	38%	42040	40630	14581	65%
131	University of Mount Union (OH)	61%	-10%	128	25%	43229	45438	19579	79%
132	Butler University (IN)	78%	-8%	124	14%	56603	50902	28785	88%
133	Augustana College (IL)	76%	-5%	116	22%	50492	50348	18791	87%
134	Siena Heights University (MI)	67%	-18%	45	44%	40658	38502	17223	56%
135	University of Minnesota–Twin Cities (MN)*	79%	-11%	843	19%	51041	56723	9836	78%
136	Elmhurst College (IL)	74%	-14%	116	33%	49023	49967	17537	77%
137	Purdue University Northwest (IN)*	35%	-12%	181	N/A	N/A	38932	8406	N/A
138	Macalester College (MN)	90%	-5%	74	11%	47449	52078	15845	91%
139	Mount Mary University (WI)	56%	-14%	26	38%	40197	34235	15617	61%
140	Bellevue University (NE)	46%	-13%	0	45%	54123	50259	12760	64%
141	Dordt University (IA)	67%	-3%	77	15%	40453	47207	21928	93%
142	Indiana University–Kokomo (IN)*	39%	-12%	51	41%	35868	36106	6650	55%
143	Ball State University (IN)*	59%	-11%	744	28%	40598	37575	11469	69%
144	Aurora University (IL)	65%	-18%	92	44%	42134	44420	15108	71%
145	Monmouth College (IL)	58%	-13%	86	32%	41145	40769	13944	78%
146	Wayne State College (NE)*	51%	-16%	113	34%	36666	36134	11566	74%
147	Concordia Univ.–Saint Paul (MN)	60%	-21%	47	33%	50413	47199	15883	70%
148	Emporia State University (KS)*	48%	-12%	97	34%	37234	35943	12333	67%
149	Indiana University–Southeast (IN)*	37%	-8%	105	41%	36604	35515	8120	56%
150	Kenyon College (OH)	89%	-1%	35	N/A	46850	51121	12893	90%
151	University of Missouri–St. Louis (MO)*	53%	-11%	100	37%	42024	44014	8872	63%
152	Graceland University–Lamoni (IA)	63%	-23%	43	37%	37415	36474	15515	69%
153	Upper Iowa University (IA)	53%	-13%	29	45%	42233	40930	22072	63%
154	Wilmington College (OH)	53%	-14%	62	36%	39682	41109	19112	72%
155	Cedarville University (OH)	71%	-10%	110	12%	41597	44147	17972	90%
156	Minot State University (ND)*	43%	-9%	31	34%	39906	41001	8606	76%
157	Quincy University (IL)	55%	-13%	55	33%	39346	42626	14876	71%
158	St. Catherine University (MN)	60%	-10%	97	28%	47938	44420	17959	72%
159	Webster University (MO)	63%	-4%	103	32%	42168	41440	23089	66%
160	Bethany Lutheran College (MN)	52%	-4%	31	N/A	35265	37707	12926	82%
161	University of Central Missouri (MO)*	56%	-17%	278	34%	37881	37947	12179	64%
162	Franklin College (IN)	61%	-13%	61	31%	42906	40757	17051	81%
163	Univ. of Saint Francis–Fort Wayne (IN)	57%	-17%	63	36%	40163	39484	15730	70%
164	Baldwin Wallace University (OH)	68%	-12%	151	31%	45486	46512	18689	74%
165	Southeast MO State University (MO)*	49%	-19%	259	38%	37100	37298	10709	64%
166	IN Univ.-Purdue Univ.–Indianapolis (IN)*	49%	-10%	460	36%	42096	40530	8130	61%
167	Olivet College (MI)	44%	14%	67	33%	37426	40948	19573	57%
168	Central State University (OH)*	27%	5%	114	41%	25452	28045	12720	20%
169	Eureka College (IL)	58%	-16%	27	35%	35912	37546	18202	72%
170	MN State University–Mankato (MN)*	56%	-15%	294	25%	44341	45474	12558	79%
171	Harris-Stowe State University (MO)*	16%	-3%	20	45%	27824	23523	9423	24%
172	Malone University (OH)	57%	-13%	77	33%	41550	41166	18833	73%
173	Missouri State Univ–Springfield (MO)*	57%	-17%	393	33%	38622	37163	13650	70%
174	Pittsburg State University (KS)*	54%	-21%	160	33%	39102	39005	11948	68%
175	Drake University (IA)	77%	-12%	84	15%	58129	51297	23806	86%
176	Clarke University (IA)	63%	-3%	34	31%	41633	42129	21780	79%
177	Muskingum University (OH)	52%	-16%	86	38%	39276	40018	16102	74%
178	Alma College (MI)	62%	-15%	73	24%	43651	44000	18183	77%
179	Judson University (IL)	58%	-4%	26	36%	42194	44407	19270	67%
180	Cornell College (IA)	68%	3%	84	19%	42574	45227	22242	83%
181	Western Michigan University (MI)*	61%	-17%	486	29%	44718	39229	14537	65%
182	NW Missouri State University (MO)*	51%	-16%	231	31%	39408	39517	9418	67%
183	Edgewood College (WI)	65%	-6%	68	29%	43465	43832	20137	78%
184	University of Nebraska–Lincoln (NE)*	69%	-14%	546	22%	45462	46422	14523	79%
185	University of Dubuque (IA)	54%	-15%	75	35%	39242	39511	18769	68%
186	Bethel University (MN)	73%	-13%	106	17%	46760	48209	19556	87%
187	Ohio State University–Main (OH)*	81%	-10%	1079	26%	45154	56410	11769	69%
188	Wright State Univ.–Lake Campus (OH)*	37%	-8%	14	36%	39482	40583	8621	60%
189	Calumet College of Saint Joseph (IN)	46%	-12%	10	50%	41035	41529	10510	46%
190	Simpson College (IA)	68%	-14%	71	25%	46067	44709	19730	84%
191	Bethel College (KS)	57%	-21%	19	34%	40356	40530	21516	77%
192	Franciscan Univ.–Steubenville (OH)	76%	-4%	81	11%	37021	42173	20229	84%
193	Wittenberg University (OH)	77%	-13%	78	25%	43053	43842	20921	81%
194	Black Hills State University (SD)*	40%	-4%	50	30%	35804	34980	14438	69%
195	Avila University (MO)	60%	-14%	29	35%	43453	41255	19648	63%
196	Bluffton University (OH)	57%	-15%	47	36%	38868	39561	23292	75%
197	Southern IL Univ.–Edwardsville (IL)*	54%	-18%	269	30%	42124	42511	12070	72%
198	Manchester University (IN)	56%	-16%	65	33%	39844	41625	18091	73%
199	Trine Univ.–Regional/Non-Traditional (IN)	71%	-48%	1	33%	42705	38245	18176	66%
200	Benedictine College (KS)	65%	-7%	78	15%	40440	43598	21022	80%
201	University of St. Francis (IL)	66%	-14%	43	44%	49615	52165	15771	70%
202	Augustana University (SD)	69%	-12%	64	15%	43256	46320	17206	88%
203	Calvin College (MI)	74%	-14%	164	14%	44167	47180	20700	85%
204	York College (NE)	46%	-22%	18	37%	36776	36248	14670	66%
205	William Penn University (IA)	45%	-18%	36	41%	41865	38881	19355	60%
206	Alverno College (WI)	50%	-14%	54	45%	38457	36471	16283	56%
207	Northwestern College (IA)	64%	-17%	62	17%	38532	41838	20832	89%
208	Univ. of Northwestern–St. Paul (MN)	64%	-5%	100	15%	37458	42442	18873	84%
209	University of Jamestown (ND)	46%	-8%	27	24%	42798	44124	16147	83%
210	Bemidji State University (MN)*	50%	-11%	106	26%	40534	40957	12091	69%
211	Concordia University–Chicago (IL)	62%	-15%	67	38%	39474	43149	15961	66%
212	College of Wooster (OH)	77%	0%	100	14%	47015	50565	17180	83%
213	Southwest Baptist University (MO)	50%	-19%	85	36%	33521	33617	15785	66%
214	Coe College (IA)	69%	-9%	70	23%	45150	47842	17375	84%
215	Maharishi International University (IA)	46%	3%	11	34%	22990	35461	16292	70%
216	St. Ambrose University (IA)	62%	-10%	76	28%	46589	46143	22384	79%
217	North Central University (MN)	51%	-5%	55	22%	33070	37159	17840	74%
218	Hope College (MI)	79%	-11%	143	16%	45119	49149	17632	86%
219	Kuyper College (MI)	50%	-15%	11	N/A	28941	33145	13781	72%
220	DePaul University (IL)	69%	-7%	527	31%	52611	49335	26196	67%
221	St. Norbert College (WI)	72%	-9%	103	19%	46043	46781	19993	85%
222	North Dakota State University–Main (ND)*	56%	-12%	254	17%	48161	48866	12839	85%
223	Valparaiso University (IN)	67%	-17%	120	28%	49775	50459	17978	79%
224	University of North Dakota (ND)*	52%	-13%	201	20%	48292	45957	12416	83%
225	Miami Univ.–Hamilton (OH)*	30%	-16%	64	25%	46901	43716	8920	63%
226	Ohio Wesleyan University (OH)	68%	-8%	78	21%	44749	45378	21132	85%
227	Fontbonne University (MO)	55%	-5%	19	33%	41184	39390	19498	57%
228	University of Wisconsin–Parkside (WI)*	35%	-9%	90	41%	38889	40885	8957	59%
229	Case Western Reserve University (OH)	83%	-4%	176	12%	72505	72927	21754	88%
230	College of St. Scholastica (MN)	69%	-18%	69	27%	51873	49866	19088	77%
231	Central Michigan University (MI)*	59%	-13%	618	29%	41485	39860	12522	63%
232	University of Sioux Falls (SD)	57%	-10%	27	26%	39262	43359	18007	80%
233	Stephens College (MO)	52%	-9%	39	30%	34244	33463	20221	68%
234	University of Mary (ND)	57%	-11%	48	19%	47403	43518	14267	81%
235	Morningside College (IA)	56%	-8%	63	24%	42904	43848	20892	82%
236	University of St. Thomas (MN)	75%	-11%	183	14%	57393	57340	24708	87%
237	Culver-Stockton College (MO)	49%	-15%	51	33%	37068	37075	17747	64%
238	Walsh University (OH)	58%	-18%	85	36%	43121	45307	16347	72%
239	Loyola University–Chicago (IL)	73%	-7%	419	26%	53357	55254	29158	81%
240	Lakeland University (WI)	52%	-9%	44	45%	42230	47481	18144	66%
241	Lindenwood University (MO)	54%	-6%	160	35%	40909	41502	17498	61%
242	Lawrence University (WI)	78%	-11%	65	17%	43180	45765	18516	84%
243	Sterling College (KS)	48%	-11%	25	33%	34039	37531	18463	68%
244	University of Missouri–Columbia (MO)*	69%	-19%	771	20%	47781	48524	14228	75%
245	Peru State College (NE)*	44%	-18%	23	41%	36541	37077	12404	64%
246	Newman University (KS)	57%	-27%	22	37%	44177	41927	12008	67%
247	Maryville University of Saint Louis (MO)	58%	-9%	58	31%	47344	47019	21121	66%
248	William Jewell College (MO)	62%	-12%	48	21%	44982	50225	18165	81%
249	Martin University (IN)	8%	5%	3	53%	23432	23897	15815	15%
250	Marietta College (OH)	64%	-19%	62	26%	42646	48482	19193	77%
251	North Park University (IL)	58%	-15%	80	36%	43772	47122	17645	75%
252	North Central College (IL)	67%	-11%	79	25%	47031	50269	19452	81%
253	Cardinal Stritch University (WI)	53%	-29%	23	46%	49159	43799	15958	60%
254	Rockhurst University (MO)	70%	-16%	54	21%	49089	50659	19790	78%
255	Indiana University–South Bend (IN)*	32%	-10%	98	44%	34612	36114	7082	53%
256	College of Saint Mary (NE)	59%	-10%	15	32%	39733	40373	14874	64%
257	University of Kansas (KS)*	62%	-19%	376	23%	47668	46073	15474	74%
258	University of Dayton (OH)	77%	-9%	175	11%	53519	53726	25182	90%
259	Kansas State University (KS)*	60%	-20%	427	23%	45160	44438	15141	77%
260	Capital University (OH)	62%	-11%	126	28%	43658	47199	19084	74%
261	Univ. of Wisconsin–Superior (WI)*	45%	-11%	43	31%	36551	35162	11004	65%
262	Bethany College (KS)	45%	-4%	25	33%	40089	41625	24608	69%
263	Northland College (WI)	54%	-9%	40	23%	33763	44743	15682	78%
264	South Dakota State University (SD)*	53%	-12%	303	22%	43244	44048	18118	82%
265	Southwest MN State Univ. (MN)*	48%	-13%	64	26%	37745	38565	12273	73%
266	MN State Univ. Moorhead (MN)*	49%	-12%	138	21%	39156	39367	13270	72%
267	Cleveland State University (OH)*	51%	-17%	271	40%	40698	40816	14532	54%
268	Park University (MO)	27%	-15%	16	48%	46118	44308	15891	59%
269	Northern Illinois University (IL)*	60%	-22%	448	37%	45334	45124	18994	71%
270	Southern IL University–Carbondale (IL)*	55%	-21%	334	34%	42849	37933	14879	59%
271	Oakland University (MI)*	52%	-12%	341	33%	43575	43575	9023	58%
272	Marian University (WI)	52%	-18%	53	41%	40588	40259	19591	70%
273	Indiana Inst. of Technology (IN)	38%	-17%	75	54%	42439	42150	23301	49%
274	Evangel University (MO)	55%	-11%	69	27%	35704	39938	20192	77%
275	Viterbo University (WI)	57%	-17%	44	29%	42363	44023	15499	74%
276	Wartburg College (IA)	69%	-13%	78	16%	44682	46762	18112	86%
277	University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (WI)*	48%	-14%	446	33%	43696	43891	14457	70%
278	Bowling Green State Univ. (OH)*	58%	-18%	599	31%	40398	33502	16501	62%
279	Midland University (NE)	49%	-18%	47	34%	40584	39048	22045	74%
280	Crown College (MN)	55%	-12%	41	30%	33641	39436	20719	76%
281	Carthage College (WI)	59%	-19%	92	24%	45064	46219	24753	78%
282	University of Southern Indiana (IN)*	44%	-17%	222	36%	36446	38808	10246	62%
283	Miami University–Oxford (OH)*	79%	-12%	344	25%	46901	50364	15916	63%
284	Northern State University (SD)*	43%	-12%	51	29%	35053	38169	13323	72%
285	Missouri Western State University (MO)*	34%	-15%	115	41%	34065	34074	9227	53%
286	Doane University (NE)	61%	-7%	61	29%	44724	44286	20997	75%
287	Cornerstone University (MI)	58%	-14%	65	34%	36599	41976	17288	67%
288	Wichita State University (KS)*	49%	-19%	171	36%	40606	41708	14033	63%
289	Adrian College (MI)	52%	-12%	106	30%	38323	41144	24094	71%
290	Friends University (KS)	55%	-18%	25	36%	42519	42979	19065	62%
291	University of South Dakota (SD)*	49%	-16%	153	26%	41379	39979	15595	74%
292	Saint Louis University–Main (MO)	66%	-12%	229	23%	56051	58069	21776	78%
293	Northern Michigan University (MI)*	51%	-14%	169	30%	35190	39316	10649	63%
294	Grantham University (KS)°	23%	-19%	11	60%	N/A	38969	10630	N/A
295	Eastern Michigan University (MI)*	50%	-15%	433	35%	38760	37955	13139	55%
296	Kent State University–Kent (OH)*	57%	-17%	711	38%	37536	38568	15944	55%
297	Chicago State University (IL)*	32%	-9%	38	43%	34413	38212	12295	32%
298	Luther College (IA)	79%	-14%	86	13%	45137	48267	19757	86%
299	Heidelberg University (OH)	45%	-14%	61	33%	38175	43198	20442	72%
300	Indiana University–East (IN)*	40%	-11%	70	47%	31173	35767	6576	44%
301	Creighton University (NE)	78%	-13%	119	18%	58843	59411	24674	83%
302	Benedictine University (IL)	63%	-5%	108	36%	50705	54624	20777	67%
303	Earlham College (IN)	70%	-14%	45	20%	35020	43124	16108	84%
304	Westminster College (MO)	64%	-17%	39	28%	42090	44137	18253	73%
305	Purdue University Fort Wayne (IN)*	31%	-12%	176	37%	36384	39123	9708	59%
306	Oberlin College (OH)	87%	-5%	59	N/A	41291	50438	17168	89%
307	Central College (IA)	66%	-15%	67	22%	44135	48372	17981	84%
308	Saginaw Valley State University (MI)*	46%	-18%	228	35%	38899	39932	13324	56%
309	Waldorf University (IA)°	36%	-22%	14	46%	37054	39384	18302	62%
310	Kansas Wesleyan University (KS)	42%	-2%	19	33%	39430	43350	23801	62%
311	Olivet Nazarene University (IL)	60%	-13%	122	27%	39886	46443	16981	73%
312	Carroll University (WI)	57%	-11%	120	27%	43181	47982	20091	79%
313	Dakota State University (SD)*	41%	-16%	36	28%	38357	42833	15058	75%
314	Union College (NE)	54%	-22%	23	22%	40526	43135	19820	73%
315	Iowa Wesleyan University (IA)	42%	-10%	13	34%	37033	37443	25601	61%
316	Ohio University–Main (OH)*	64%	-15%	534	36%	40846	44697	19041	58%
317	Lincoln University (MO)*	27%	-22%	42	40%	30558	30857	11050	37%
318	Ottawa University–Ottawa (KS)	39%	-20%	23	42%	41491	39280	20875	54%
319	Miami Univ.–Middletown (OH)*	25%	-22%	32	25%	46901	42346	10738	63%
320	Defiance College (OH)	46%	-25%	36	36%	40047	39204	23377	65%
321	Capella University (MN)°	14%	-25%	0	50%	65724	48726	13902	37%
322	Columbia College (MO)	37%	-19%	51	49%	38254	36105	26186	48%
323	Holy Cross College (IN)	34%	-9%	15	30%	38135	40762	19090	69%
324	Concordia College–Moorhead (MN)	73%	-18%	116	13%	43622	48313	19521	89%
325	Dakota Wesleyan University (SD)	53%	-11%	30	26%	36476	45525	19276	69%
326	Trinity International University–Illinois (IL)	49%	-13%	28	31%	40900	45083	17896	64%
327	Wright State University (OH)*	44%	-20%	301	36%	39482	39758	14102	60%
328	Aquinas College (MI)	57%	-12%	76	24%	36961	41498	13806	67%
329	University of Indianapolis (IN)	54%	-16%	145	34%	41641	41464	17377	62%
330	University of Michigan–Flint (MI)*	45%	-13%	91	37%	41157	43220	9967	47%
331	Notre Dame College (OH)	36%	-15%	55	36%	42783	41113	19606	58%
332	University of Cincinnati–Main (OH)*	63%	-12%	564	32%	41067	49102	19062	63%
333	Finlandia University (MI)	41%	-7%	13	36%	30671	36386	22371	58%
334	Missouri Baptist University (MO)	54%	-18%	28	37%	35150	39834	18284	61%
335	Concordia University–Wisconsin (WI)	58%	-10%	77	32%	43157	46938	21971	61%
336	Xavier University (OH)	71%	-20%	104	17%	49810	50354	26163	78%
337	Lawrence Technological Univ. (MI)	49%	-26%	34	25%	55957	49275	26787	70%
338	Washburn University (KS)*	45%	-22%	81	38%	39988	39435	11317	57%
339	Roosevelt University (IL)	51%	-11%	74	38%	44604	44804	21496	55%
340	University of Missouri–Kansas City (MO)*	53%	-19%	162	33%	45366	49738	13324	63%
341	Otterbein University (OH)	58%	-17%	102	25%	42677	46605	20299	76%
342	Anderson University (IN)	58%	-23%	75	25%	37131	38457	20633	68%
343	William Woods University (MO)	57%	-16%	35	30%	35970	37599	20172	69%
344	University of Detroit Mercy (MI)	60%	-18%	88	31%	47242	54141	17862	66%
345	University of Findlay (OH)	54%	-14%	89	30%	42708	48482	18436	73%
346	Lake Erie College (OH)	54%	-14%	39	34%	34454	43378	18610	65%
347	Trine University (IN)	55%	-19%	72	33%	42705	47866	20383	66%
348	Missouri Valley College (MO)	30%	-15%	44	40%	34763	35332	18756	50%
349	Indiana University–Northwest (IN)*	30%	-16%	65	46%	36903	39540	5645	41%
350	Wayne State University (MI)*	42%	-19%	415	37%	40877	41211	10787	45%
351	Concordia University–Ann Arbor (MI)	39%	-1%	20	N/A	N/A	39681	22309	59%
352	University of Saint Mary (KS)	50%	-22%	17	36%	38392	45787	17843	70%
353	Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (IN)	38%	-33%	14	44%	32268	29893	16325	56%
354	Mount Marty University (SD)	48%	-24%	21	31%	34933	39590	18672	74%
355	Shawnee State University (OH)*	30%	-22%	83	47%	34135	33696	13867	44%
356	Ohio Dominican University (OH)	43%	-19%	57	38%	39739	43841	18964	58%
357	Youngstown State University (OH)*	35%	-25%	285	42%	35219	38484	10001	44%
358	Ohio Christian University (OH)	42%	-21%	24	55%	32867	36350	23506	39%
359	East-West University (IL)	30%	0%	14	54%	24765	29769	21775	19%
360	Drury University (MO)	53%	-34%	76	41%	32474	36259	18952	51%
361	Lourdes University (OH)	36%	-14%	36	35%	35832	37527	15660	45%
362	University of Toledo (OH)*	43%	-26%	504	34%	42733	43029	14185	53%
363	DeVry University–Columbus (GA)°	29%	-31%	12	50%	N/A	45382	25598	42%
364	Marian University (IN)	58%	-22%	53	30%	43705	48220	16550	60%
365	Tiffin University (OH)	30%	-14%	74	41%	39999	40370	19509	41%
366	University of Akron–Main (OH)*	43%	-23%	407	38%	36003	42552	16244	53%
367	DeVry University–Chicago (IL)°	21%	-18%	58	50%	N/A	46253	29034	42%
368	Baker College (MI)	21%	-16%	26	48%	27229	35800	11939	36%
369	Columbia College–Chicago (IL)	49%	-14%	306	25%	34306	37657	28502	52%
370	Purdue University Global-Davenport (IA)*	24%	-75%	0	53%	34313	33623	17244	28%
371	Andrews University (MI)	55%	-10%	60	17%	40167	52113	17961	57%
372	Davenport University (MI)	32%	-25%	46	42%	30321	46085	17185	37%

Definitions:

Median earnings: median annual earnings 10 years after entering college.

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

First-gen students: percent of students who are the first in their family to go to college.

Predicted median earnings: expected median annual earnings based on student demographic data, adjusted for institutions’ location and academic mission.

Net price: actual cost of attendance for first-time, full-time, in-state students with family incomes below $75,000 per year over the last three years.

2020 Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: Midwest

Definitions:

Median earnings: median annual earnings 10 years after entering college.

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

First-gen students: percent of students who are the first in their family to go to college.

Predicted median earnings: expected median annual earnings based on student demographic data, adjusted for institutions’ location and academic mission.

Net price: actual cost of attendance for first-time, full-time, in-state students with family incomes below $75,000 per year over the last three years.

Loan repayment rate: percent of students who pay back at least $1 in loan principal within 5 years of leaving college.

* = public
° = for-profit

Definitions:

Median earnings: median annual earnings 10 years after entering college.

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

First-gen students: percent of students who are the first in their family to go to college.

Predicted median earnings: expected median annual earnings based on student demographic data, adjusted for institutions’ location and academic mission.

Net price: actual cost of attendance for first-time, full-time, in-state students with family incomes below $75,000 per year over the last three years.

Loan repayment rate: percent of students who pay back at least $1 in loan principal within 5 years of leaving college.

* = public ° = for-profit

* = public
° = for-profit