2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Finding the Best Nursing Associate Degree School for You
In 2020-2021, 322,592 degrees and certificates were awarded to nursing students, making the major the most popular in the country.
Today's healthcare students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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 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, Healthcare Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 139 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for healthcare students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Check out the nursing associate degree programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.
Top 15% Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools
Our analysis found Ohio Medical Career College to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the city of Dayton, Ohio Medical Career College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
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The excellent associate degree programs at Ambria College of Nursing helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the city of Hoffman Estates, Ambria College of Nursing is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Ambria College of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $32,601.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - Illinois. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Rockford.
While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of around $32,326 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $175.
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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Madison Area Technical College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Madison College is a large public school located in the large city of Madison.
On average, nursing graduates from Madison College take out $26,980 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
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Out of the 139 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Herzing University - Akron landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Akron, Herzing Akron is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Herzing Akron take out $35,162 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $107.
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With a ranking of #6, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public college with a very large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Ivy Tech Community College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $20,860.
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James A Rhodes State College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Rhodes State College is a small public school located in the suburb of Lima.
On average, nursing graduates from Rhodes State College take out $23,078 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
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With a ranking of #8, Rasmussen University - Wisconsin did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Green Bay.
While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Rasmussen University - Wisconsin accumulate an average of around $32,326 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $175.
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Galen College of Nursing - Cincinnati ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, Galen College of Nursing - Cincinnati is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Nursing majors at Galen College of Nursing - Cincinnati take out an average of $35,636 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $111.
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Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. CVTC is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Eau Claire.
On average, nursing graduates from CVTC take out $24,781 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
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Schoolcraft College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Schoolcraft College is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Livonia.
After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Schoolcraft College carry an average student debtload of $24,773.
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With a ranking of #12, Mercy College of Ohio did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Mercy College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Toledo.
After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Mercy College carry an average student debtload of $35,681. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $149, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Oakton Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Oakton Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Des Plaines.
Nursing majors at Oakton Community College take out an average of $11,885 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
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William Rainey Harper College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public college with a large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Harper College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $19,644.
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Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Tech is a public school with a small student population.
While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Southwest Tech accumulate an average of around $20,050 in student debt.
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Ohio University - Southern Campus landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. OHIO Southern is a small public school located in the midsize suburb of Ironton.
After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from OHIO Southern carry an average student debtload of $26,334.
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Ohio University - Zanesville Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the town of Zanesville, OHIO Zanesville is a public school with a small student population.
While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at OHIO Zanesville accumulate an average of around $26,334 in student debt.
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Felbry College School of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the large city of Columbus, Felbry College School of Nursing is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
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Delta College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Delta College is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of University Center.
While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Delta College accumulate an average of around $21,140 in student debt.
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Lansing Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. LCC is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Lansing.
While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at LCC accumulate an average of around $28,140 in student debt.
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These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Gateway Technical College | Kenosha, WI |
| 22 | Parkland College | Champaign, IL |
| 23 | Hondros College of Nursing | Westerville, OH |
| 24 | Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI |
| 25 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI |
| 26 | University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN |
| 27 | Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI |
Best Nursing Colleges by State
Explore the best nursing colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Illinois | 21,938 |
| Ohio | 13,973 |
| Michigan | 7,345 |
| Indiana | 7,922 |
| Wisconsin | 5,410 |
More Nursing Rankings in the Great Lakes Region
Nursing Related Rankings by Major
Nursing is one of 30 different types of healthcare programs to choose from.
Nursing Focus Areas
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 266,651 |
| Family Practice Nurse/Nursing | 16,104 |
| Nursing Administration | 9,838 |
| Nursing Practice | 7,992 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5,092 |
| Nursing Science | 4,600 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing | 2,287 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing | 2,021 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 1,936 |
| Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing | 1,883 |
| Critical Care Nursing | 773 |
| Geriatric Nurse/Nursing | 563 |
| School Nursing | 553 |
| Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery | 509 |
| Clinical Nurse Leader | 444 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 419 |
| Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing | 331 |
| Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing | 181 |
| Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing | 57 |
| Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing | 53 |
| Palliative Care Nursing | 14 |
| Forensic Nursing | 14 |
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 89,359 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 84,492 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 84,274 |
| Allied Health Professions | 82,308 |
| Public Health | 40,596 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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