2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Finding the Best Nursing 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 Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 305 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best programs for healthcare students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for nursing majors pursuing a .
Top 25 Top Great Lakes Region Schools in Nursing
Our analysis found Trinity Health System School of Nursing to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a degree in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the city of Steubenville, Trinity Health System School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Trinity Health System School of Nursing take out is $20,824.
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Out of the 305 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Graham Hospital School of Nursing landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the distant town of Canton, Graham Hospital School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Saint Elizabeth School of Nursing. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the small city of Lafayette, St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and University of Saint Francis Cooperative Nursing Program is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Nursing majors at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and University of Saint Francis Cooperative Nursing Program take out an average of $43,960 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $424.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Ohio Institute of Allied Health. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large suburb of Huber Heights, Ohio Institute of Allied Health is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
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A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing is a great place for nursing students. Located in the distant town of Sandusky, Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing accumulate an average of around $30,000 in student debt.
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Ohio Medical Career College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Dayton, Ohio Medical Career College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Nursing majors at Ohio Medical Career College take out an average of $27,971 in student loans while working on their egree.
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With a ranking of #7, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UW - Madison take out is $24,104.
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Tri-Rivers Career Center landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the distant town of Marion, Tri-Rivers Career Center is a public school with a small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Tri-Rivers Career Center take out $27,748 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Chamberlain University - Michigan ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Chamberlain - Michigan is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Troy.
On average, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Michigan take out $38,460 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $256.
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Ottawa University - Milwaukee came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Brookfield, Ottawa University - Milwaukee is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Ottawa University - Milwaukee carry an average student debtload of $26,768.
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Chamberlain University - Ohio landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Chamberlain - Ohio is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Columbus.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Ohio carry an average student debtload of $38,460. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $256.
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University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, UWM Flexible Option is a public school with a small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from UWM Flexible Option take out $27,902 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $182.
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Chamberlain University - Indiana ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, Chamberlain - Indiana is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Nursing majors at Chamberlain - Indiana take out an average of $38,460 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $256.
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With a ranking of #14, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the suburb of North Chicago, RFUMS is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
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Chamberlain University - Illinois came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Chamberlain - Illinois is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Addison.
On average, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Illinois take out $38,460 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $256.
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Ambria College of Nursing came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Hoffman Estates, Ambria College of Nursing is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Ambria College of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $34,750.
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Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Rockford.
On average, nursing graduates from Rasmussen University - Illinois take out $35,539 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $161.
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Collins Career Technical Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. CollinsCTC is a fairly small public school located in the rural area of Chesapeake.
On average, nursing graduates from CollinsCTC take out $24,180 in student loans while working on their degree.
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With a ranking of #19, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Eau Claire, UW - Eau Claire is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Nursing majors at UW - Eau Claire take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
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With a ranking of #20, Sandusky Career Center did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the distant town of Sandusky, Sandusky Career Center is a public school with a fairly small student population.
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Rush University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Rush University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.
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Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Illinois Wesleyan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington.
Nursing majors at Illinois Wesleyan take out an average of $26,855 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Madison Area Technical College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Madison College is a large public school located in the large city of Madison.
On average, nursing graduates from Madison College take out $26,156 in student loans while working on their degree.
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With a ranking of #24, Saint Anthony College of Nursing did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the medium-sized city of Rockford, SACN is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from SACN take out $25,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $281, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Case Western Reserve University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Case Western is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland.
Nursing majors at Case Western take out an average of $24,201 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $272.
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Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL |
| 47 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point | Stevens Point, WI |
| 48 | Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire, WI |
| 49 | Kettering College | Kettering, OH |
| 50 | Edgewood College | Madison, WI |
| 51 | Herzing University - Kenosha | Kenosha, WI |
| 52 | Athena Career Academy | Toledo, OH |
| 53 | Schoolcraft College | Livonia, MI |
| 54 | Carroll University | Waukesha, WI |
| 55 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI |
| 56 | Rasmussen University - Wisconsin | Green Bay, WI |
| 57 | Concordia University, Chicago | River Forest, IL |
| 58 | Ball State University | Muncie, IN |
| 59 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI |
| 60 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | Columbus, OH |
| 61 | Viterbo University | La Crosse, 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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