The 14 best colleges in the Midwest

Illinois Wesleyan University

Business Insider released its annual ranking of the best colleges in America, highlighting schools that provide a quality education and graduate students on time, set graduates up to earn well-paying jobs early in their career, and create a memorable and enjoyable campus experience. (You can read about the methodology in detail here.)

Location wasn't a factor in the ranking, but when we zoomed out on our data to look at the top-100 schools in the country, a number of them fell in the Midwest.

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (No. 12 on our overall ranking) topped the list of Midwestern schools, followed by University of Notre Dame and Washington University in St. Louis.

Continue reading to see which 14 schools not only shine as the best in the Midwest, but as some of the best in the country.

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14. Gustavus Adolphus College

Location: St. Peter, Minnesota

Median salary 10 years after enrolling: $50,100

Average SAT score: 1224

Student life score: A-

Founded on the principles of the Lutheran Church, Gustavus Adolphus College reflects its Christian heritage through weekly praise and worship services and 12 student-run religious organizations. On the academic side, the liberal-arts college offers 72 different majors across 25 departments, including art history, geography, and environmental studies.

13. Creighton University

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Median salary 10 years after enrolling: $57,800

Average SAT score: 1214

Student life score: A-

Committed to Jesuit traditions and Catholic values, Creighton University challenges students to pursue justice for those in need, respect everyone, and aim for excellence in all aspects of their lives, among other core values. This sense of community engagement stands as a major part of the Creighton experience, as evidenced by the nearly 1.25 million service hours students racked up over the 2014-2015 school year.

12. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Location: Terre Haute, Indiana

Median salary 10 years after enrolling: $78,900

Average SAT score: 1310

Student life score: A-

At Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the college’s 2,100 undergraduates can choose from 24 majors focused in science, math, and technology. The average class size is about 20 students, allowing them to have a hands-on experience and one-on-one mentorships. RHIT also prepares its students for life after college with its LEAD Program, a series of workshops and speakers to help students develop leadership skills to pair with their newly learned technological skills.