2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Northwestern University	8846	7.22	1,480 – 1,560	23341	76844	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference Northwestern University Evanston, IL A founding member of the Big Ten Conference, top sports for the Wildcats include Football, Basketball, and Swimming and Diving (combined). Willie the Wildcat cheers them on and the colors are purple and white....Read more Undergraduates 8,846 Acceptance Rate 7.2% SAT Score 1,480 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $23,341 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $76,844
2	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	34454	15.64	1,370 – 1,530	19005	73762	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, was founded in 1817, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Michigan. The most commonly chosen major at UMich is Computer and Information Sciences, General. During the last admissions cycle, 47% of accepted students decide to attend. Undergraduates 34,454 Acceptance Rate 15.6% SAT Score 1,370 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $19,005 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $73,762
3	University of Maryland-College Park	31133	44.8	1,400 – 1,540	15833	67785	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD University of Maryland, the state's flagship university, is home to six libraries, the ANSC campus farm, and the UMD golf course. Often called a Public Ivy, it offers an education comparable to Ivy League schools and has extremely high research activity. Computer Science is the most popular undergraduate major. Undergraduates 31,133 Acceptance Rate 44.8% SAT Score 1,400 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $15,833 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,785
4	Ohio State University-Main Campus	46815	60.57	1,250 – 1,440	19575	51438	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH Ohio State University is a Public Ivy. Getting its start in 1870, it was originally known as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. With 972 athletes, the Buckeyes take part in the Big Ten Conference. Popular sports include Football, Basketball, and Ice Hockey. Undergraduates 46,815 Acceptance Rate 60.6% SAT Score 1,250 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $19,575 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,438
5	University of Wisconsin-Madison	39083	45.17	1,350 – 1,480	14216	61275	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI The University of Wisconsin, Madison was the first public university in the state – it opened when Wisconsin received statehood in 1848. Their motto is “Numen Lumen” or “Divine Light.” With 40,000 faculty and staff, the university is also the largest employer in Wisconsin....Read more Undergraduates 39,083 Acceptance Rate 45.2% SAT Score 1,350 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $14,216 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,275
6	Rutgers University-New Brunswick	36588	65.35	1,280 – 1,480	19052	61263	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ New Brunswick is the oldest of the three campuses that make up Rutgers University. The school has 19 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, with many students majoring in Computer and Information Sciences, General, and Social Work....Read more Undergraduates 36,588 Acceptance Rate 65.4% SAT Score 1,280 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $19,052 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,263
7	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	37140	42.37	1,380 – 1,530	14297	64802	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1, and 71% of students will graduate in 4 years. The most popular major is Business Administration and Management, General. Illinois's motto is "Learning & Labor." Undergraduates 37,140 Acceptance Rate 42.4% SAT Score 1,380 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $14,297 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $64,802
8	University of Minnesota Twin Cities	41303	79.75	1,260 – 1,420	16730	57984	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is made up of two locations, 3 miles apart: Minneapolis and Falcon Heights. Their motto is “Commune vinculum omnibus artibus” or “A common bond for all the arts.” Getting its start in 1851 before Minnesota was a state, it’s the largest and oldest school in the state university system. Undergraduates 41,303 Acceptance Rate 79.8% SAT Score 1,260 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $16,730 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,984
9	Purdue University-Main Campus	44170	49.79	1,220 – 1,490	12421	60838	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN A NCAA Division I-FBS school, Purdue University was a founding member of the Big Ten Conference. Some famous alumni include Neil Armstrong, Millie Bobby Brown, and Orville Redenbacher. The school has also produced Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Olympic medalists. Undergraduates 44,170 Acceptance Rate 49.8% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,490 Avg. Net Price $12,421 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,838
10	Indiana University-Bloomington	38093	78.21	1,200 – 1,420	16282	53417	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN Bloomington is the flagship and largest campus of Indiana University. Alumni include Bob Chapek, Suzanne Collins, and Jimmy Wales. IUB is somewhat selective and has an impressive 91% first year retention rate. 81% of students graduate in six years. Undergraduates 38,093 Acceptance Rate 78.2% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $16,282 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,417
11	Michigan State University	41234	84.8	1,120 – 1,330	24630	55084	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Based in East Lansing, Michigan State University accepts 85% of applicants. They charge $65 for undergraduate applications and $65 for graduate applications. About 96% of students at Michigan State University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 41,234 Acceptance Rate 84.8% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $24,630 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,084
12	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus	42604	60.56	1,250 – 1,430	27450	55620	#12 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA Based in University Park, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus’s acceptance rate is 61% and charges $65 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 35% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year retention rate is 92% and around 69% of students will graduate within four......Read more Undergraduates 42,604 Acceptance Rate 60.6% SAT Score 1,250 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $27,450 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,620
13	University of Iowa	22738	83.62	1,100 – 1,320	20121	52696	#13 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Found in Iowa City, the University of Iowa accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $55 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 70% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 22,738 Acceptance Rate 83.6% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $20,121 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,696
14	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	19701	87.49	1,110 – 1,320	18029	47692	#14 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Big Ten Conference University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Located in Lincoln, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln accepted 87% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $45 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 92% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 19,701 Acceptance Rate 87.5% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $18,029 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,692