2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference

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Mid-American Conference

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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	Miami University-Oxford	16816	75.4	1,220 – 1,380	27928	49773	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference Miami University-Oxford Oxford, OH Miami University, Oxford’s motto is “Prodesse Quam Conspici”, or “To accomplish without being conspicuous.” It’s one of the oldest public universities in the United States. A NCAA Division I-FBS school, most of Miami’s athletes, the RedHawks, compete in the Mid-American Conference. Undergraduates 16,816 Acceptance Rate 75.4% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $27,928 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,773
2	University at Buffalo	20360	74.18	1,220 – 1,390	20511	53742	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Located in Buffalo, the University at Buffalo accepted 74% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in $50 to apply. About 68% of students attending the University at Buffalo currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 20,360 Acceptance Rate 74.2% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $20,511 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,742
3	Ohio University-Main Campus	19888	85.17	1,110 – 1,310	20550	48991	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH Located in Athens, Ohio University-Main Campus accepts 85% of applicants. They request $50 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 91% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 19,888 Acceptance Rate 85.2% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $20,550 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,991
4	Ball State University	15189	85.5	1,080 – 1,260	13017	44394	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference Ball State University Muncie, IN Found in Muncie, Ball State University’s acceptance rate is 86%. Undergraduates have to send in $60 to apply. About 57% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 15,189 Acceptance Rate 85.5% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $13,017 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,394
5	Kent State University at Kent	20841	86.34	990 – 1,220	20333	40179	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH Located in Kent, Kent State University at Kent accepted 86% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $50 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 94% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 20,841 Acceptance Rate 86.3% SAT Score 990 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $20,333 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,179
6	Western Michigan University	13860	84.6	980 – 1,230	20183	45356	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI There are 395 student athletes, known as Broncos, at Western Michigan University, a NCAA Division I-FBS school. They compete in the Mid-American Conference. WMU has an 81% first year retention rate and 16 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Many undergraduates major in Finance, General. Undergraduates 13,860 Acceptance Rate 84.6% SAT Score 980 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $20,183 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,356
7	Central Michigan University	10219	89.82	980 – 1,210	15826	46567	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI Central Michigan University is a NCAA Division I-FBS school, and the Chippewas compete in the Mid-American Conference. Student athletes can receive scholarships, $13,796 on average, and the school offers institutional grant aid to about 95% of students. Undergraduates 10,219 Acceptance Rate 89.8% SAT Score 980 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $15,826 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,567
8	University of Toledo	11013	92.02	1,040 – 1,280	17927	44162	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference University of Toledo Toledo, OH Located in Toledo, the University of Toledo’s acceptance rate is 92%. They charge $40 for undergraduate applications and $45 for graduate applications. About 82% of students at the University of Toledo currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The institution’s first year retention......Read more Undergraduates 11,013 Acceptance Rate 92.0% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $17,927 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,162
9	Northern Illinois University	11349	69.79	960 – 1,180	13533	46113	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Northern Illinois University opened in 1895 as the Northern Illinois State School. The 756-acre campus is home to Altgeld Hall, which looks like a castle. Popular areas of study include Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, and General. Undergraduates 11,349 Acceptance Rate 69.8% SAT Score 960 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,533 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,113
10	University of Akron Main Campus	11160	59.67	930 – 1,210	15292	42269	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH Based in Akron, the University of Akron Main Campus accepts 60% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 91% of students attending the University of Akron Main Campus will receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 73% and around 22% of students will......Read more Undergraduates 11,160 Acceptance Rate 59.7% SAT Score 930 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $15,292 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,269
11	Eastern Michigan University	10470	79.64	930 – 1,180	17388	43148	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI Eastern Michigan University got its start in 1849 as the Michigan State Normal School, the first teachers' college outside of New England. A NCAA Division I-FBS school, Eagles compete in the Mid-American Conference. Popular sports include Football, Basketball, and Track and Field and Cross Country (combined). Undergraduates 10,470 Acceptance Rate 79.6% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $17,388 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,148
12	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus	14783	80.96	1,010 – 1,240	20987	41281	#12 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Mid-American Conference Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, OH Undergraduates 14,783 Acceptance Rate 81.0% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $20,987 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,281