2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Healthcare Degree Search has created the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 305 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best value programs for nursing students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Top 25 Best Great Lakes Region Schools for Affordable Quality in Nursing
Our 2023 rankings named Graham Hospital School of Nursing the best value school in the Great Lakes Region for nursing students. Located in the distant town of Canton, Graham Hospital School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Graham Hospital School of Nursing are $7,206 a year.
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the town of Sandusky, Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing are $6,992 a year. 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.
Request Information
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wayne County Community College District. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Detroit, WCCCD is a public school with a large student population.
WCCCD undergraduate students pay an average of $3,998 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at WCCCD accumulate an average of around $18,389 in student debt.
Full Nursing at Wayne County Community College District Report
Request Information
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex is a great value for nursing students. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, UWM Flexible Option is a public school with a fairly small student population.
UWM Flexible Option undergraduate students pay an average of $6,750 in tuition and fees each year. 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.
Request Information
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Madison Area Technical College is a great value for nursing students. Madison College is a large public school located in the large city of Madison.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Madison College are $6,769 per year. On average, nursing graduates from Madison College take out $26,156 in student loans while working on their degree.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Madison College is ranked #5 for overall quality for nursing in the Great Lakes Region .
Request Information
Washington State Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in the rural area of Marietta, WSCC is a public school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WSCC are $4,032 a year. After completing their degree, nursing graduates from WSCC carry an average student debtload of $23,664.
Read full report on Nursing at Washington State Community College
Request Information
Oakland Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Oakland Community College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Bloomfield Hills.
Oakland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,200 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at Oakland Community College accumulate an average of around $18,438 in student debt.
Read full report on Nursing at Oakland Community College
Request Information
Trinity Health System School of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the city of Steubenville, Trinity Health System School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Trinity Health System School of Nursing are $13,386 a year. The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Trinity Health System School of Nursing take out is $20,824.
Request Information
Northcentral Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Wausau, North Central Technical College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
North Central Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,415 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at North Central Technical College accumulate an average of around $14,000 in student debt.
Full Nursing at Northcentral Technical College Report
Request Information
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. CVTC is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Eau Claire.
CVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at CVTC take out is $24,000.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, CVTC also is in the top 15% of our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Read full report on Nursing at Chippewa Valley Technical College
Request Information
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Tech is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Southwest Tech are $6,683 a year. The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Southwest Tech take out is $18,125.
Full Nursing at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Report
Request Information
Schoolcraft College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Schoolcraft College is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Livonia.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Schoolcraft College are $7,574 per year. Nursing majors at Schoolcraft College take out an average of $22,039 in student loans while working on their egree.
Request Information
With a ranking of #13, Western Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students. Western Technical College is a small public school located in the city of La Crosse.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Western Technical College are $6,687 per year. After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Western Technical College carry an average student debtload of $20,095.
Read full report on Nursing at Western Technical College
Request Information
Gateway Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the midsize suburb of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
Gateway Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,803 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at Gateway Technical College accumulate an average of around $16,970 in student debt.
Request Information
Blackhawk Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the suburb of Janesville, BTC is a public college with a small student population.
BTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, nursing graduates from BTC carry an average student debtload of $22,416.
BTC also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Full Nursing at Blackhawk Technical College Report
Request Information
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Green Bay, NWTC is a public school with a fairly large student population.
NWTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,849 in tuition and fees each year. On average, nursing graduates from NWTC take out $20,769 in student loans while working on their degree.
Full Nursing at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Report
Request Information
Moraine Park Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for nursing students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a public college with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Moraine Park Technical College are $6,683 per year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at Moraine Park Technical College accumulate an average of around $17,817 in student debt.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Moraine Park Technical College also did well on our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Full Nursing at Moraine Park Technical College Report
Request Information
Delta College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Delta College is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of University Center.
Delta College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,100 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Delta College take out is $18,342.
Request Information
Fox Valley Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the suburb of Appleton, FVTC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at FVTC are $6,861 per year. On average, nursing graduates from FVTC take out $19,224 in student loans while working on their degree.
FVTC also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on Nursing at Fox Valley Technical College
Request Information
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. WCTC is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,603 per year. Nursing majors at WCTC take out an average of $20,590 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Nursing at Waukesha County Technical College Report
Request Information
James A Rhodes State College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Rhodes State College is a small public school located in the suburb of Lima.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rhodes State College are $8,721 per year. On average, nursing graduates from Rhodes State College take out $21,833 in student loans while working on their degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, Rhodes State College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Full Nursing at James A Rhodes State College Report
Request Information
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ivy Tech Community College are $8,927 per year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of around $17,979 in student debt.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Ivy Tech Community College also is in the top 10% of our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Read full report on Nursing at Ivy Tech Community College
Request Information
With a ranking of #23, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students. Located in the rural area of Shell Lake, WITC is a public college with a small student population.
WITC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,960 in tuition and fees each year. Nursing majors at WITC take out an average of $16,713 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Nursing at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Report
Request Information
Henry Ford College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford College is a public school with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Henry Ford College are $7,192 a year. On average, nursing graduates from Henry Ford College take out $25,250 in student loans while working on their degree.
Read full report on Nursing at Henry Ford College
Request Information
Mid-State Technical College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Mid-State is a small public school located in the rural area of Wisconsin Rapids.
Mid-State undergraduate students pay an average of $6,351 in tuition and fees each year. On average, nursing graduates from Mid-State take out $16,917 in student loans while working on their degree.
Read full report on Nursing at Mid-State Technical College
Request InformationRest of the Top Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Additional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | Ohio University - Chillicothe Campus | Chillicothe, OH |
| 48 | Lakeland Community College | Kirtland, OH |
| 48 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH |
| 50 | Black Hawk College | Moline, IL |
| 51 | Rasmussen University - Illinois | Rockford, IL |
| 52 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI |
| 53 | Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland, OH |
| 54 | Stark State College | North Canton, OH |
| 55 | Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac, MI |
| 55 | Monroe County Community College | Monroe, MI |
| 57 | Kirtland Community College | Roscommon, MI |
| 57 | Gogebic Community College | Ironwood, MI |
| 59 | Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL |
| 60 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL |
| 60 | John Wood Community College | Quincy, IL |
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 |
More Nursing Rankings in the Great Lakes Region
Majors Related to Nursing
Nursing is one of 30 different types of healthcare programs to choose from.
Nursing Focus Areas
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.
- 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.
HealthcareDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© HealthcareDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.