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Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

305 Colleges
$67,647 Avg Salary
$27,241 Avg Student Debt

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 school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Trinity Health System School of Nursing take out is $20,824.

Read full report on Nursing at Trinity Health System School of Nursing

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Graham Hospital School of Nursing is a great place for nursing students. Located in the town of Canton, Graham Hospital School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Nursing at Graham Hospital School of Nursing

Out of the 305 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Elizabeth School of Nursing landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the 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 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.

Full Nursing at Saint Elizabeth School of Nursing Report

#4

Ohio Institute of Allied Health

Huber Heights, OH

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 suburb of Huber Heights, Ohio Institute of Allied Health is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Nursing at Ohio Institute of Allied Health

Out of the 305 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the town of Sandusky, Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit college 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.

Full Nursing at Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing Report

Ohio Medical Career College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Dayton, Ohio Medical Career College is a private for-profit college 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.

Read More…

With a ranking of #7, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UW - Madison take out is $24,104.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Madison

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 college 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.

Read full report on Nursing at Tri-Rivers Career Center

Chamberlain University - Michigan did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list. Chamberlain - Michigan is a small private for-profit school located in the 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.

Full Nursing at Chamberlain University - Michigan Report

#10

Ottawa University - Milwaukee

Brookfield, WI

Ottawa University - Milwaukee landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. 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.

Read More…

With a ranking of #11, Chamberlain University - Ohio did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Chamberlain - Ohio is a small private for-profit school located in the large 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.

Read full report on Nursing at Chamberlain University - Ohio

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Milwaukee, UWM Flexible Option is a public college 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.

Full Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex Report

#13

Chamberlain University - Indiana

Indianapolis, IN

Chamberlain University - Indiana did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, Chamberlain - Indiana is a private for-profit school with a fairly 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.

Read More…

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of North Chicago, RFUMS is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Nursing at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Chamberlain University - Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list. Chamberlain - Illinois is a very 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.

Read More…

#16

Ambria College of Nursing

Hoffman Estates, IL

Ambria College of Nursing landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the city of Hoffman Estates, Ambria College of Nursing is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Ambria College of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $34,750.

Full Nursing at Ambria College of Nursing Report

With a ranking of #17, Rasmussen University - Illinois did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school located in the 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.

Read full report on Nursing at Rasmussen University - Illinois

Collins Career Technical Center ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region 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.

Read More…

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the small city of Eau Claire, UW - Eau Claire is a public college with a large student population.

Nursing majors at UW - Eau Claire take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Report

#20

Sandusky Career Center

Sandusky, OH

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.

Read full report on Nursing at Sandusky Career Center

#21

Rush University

Chicago, IL

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.

Full Nursing at Rush University Report

#22

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL

With a ranking of #22, Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Illinois Wesleyan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Bloomington.

Nursing majors at Illinois Wesleyan take out an average of $26,855 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Nursing at Illinois Wesleyan University Report

Madison Area Technical College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Madison College is a large public school located in the city of Madison.

On average, nursing graduates from Madison College take out $26,156 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Nursing at Madison Area Technical College

Saint Anthony College of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Rockford, SACN is a private not-for-profit school with a 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.

Read full report on Nursing at Saint Anthony College of Nursing

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list. 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.

Read full report on Nursing at Case Western Reserve University

Rest of the Top Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

#29

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI
#30

Saint Mary's College

Notre Dame, IN
#33

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN
#39

Bradley University

Peoria, IL
#40

Oak Point University

Chicago, IL
#42

Otterbein University

Westerville, OH
#43

Hope College

Holland, MI
#45

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

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 schools 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

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

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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