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Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

189 Colleges
$64,238 Avg Salary
$28,730 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing Bachelor's 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.

The Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking is one of many tools that Healthcare Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 189 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular bachelor's degree programs for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Nursing program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for nursing majors pursuing a bachelor's degree.

Our 2023 rankings named Chamberlain University - Illinois the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Chamberlain - Illinois is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Addison.

Women make up 89% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Chamberlain - Illinois accumulate an average of around $37,103 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $256.

Full Nursing at Chamberlain University - Illinois Report

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Out of the 189 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the distant town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public school with a fairly large student population.

About 86% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 14% are male.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at OHIO Athens take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $30,722. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $180, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Indianapolis, IUPUI is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 88% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 12% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from IUPUI carry an average student debt load of $29,663. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $189.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University Northwest. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large suburb of Hammond, Purdue Northwest is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 85% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Purdue Northwest accumulate an average of around $27,233 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $152.

Full Nursing at Purdue University Northwest Report

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Out of the 189 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Michigan University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Eastern Michigan is a large public school located in the large suburb of Ypsilanti.

Of the 500 students majoring in nursing at Eastern Michigan, 15% are male and 85% are female.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Eastern Michigan accumulate an average of around $31,566 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $164, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Loyola University Chicago ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

About 87% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 13% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Loyola Chicago accumulate an average of around $28,313 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $767, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Kent State University at Kent landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Kent State is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Kent.

About 86% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 14% are male.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Kent State take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $30,430. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $222.

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With a ranking of #8, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the rural area of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

About 94% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 6% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from IWU carry an average student debt load of $33,086. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $344.

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#9

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland is a public school with a large student population.

Of the 458 students majoring in nursing at Oakland, 16% are male and 84% are female.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Oakland take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $31,931. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $138.

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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. SIUE is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Edwardsville.

Women make up 90% of the nursing majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at SIUE take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $23,837. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $215.

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#11

Oak Point University

Chicago, IL

Oak Point University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Chicago, Oak Point is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Women make up 85% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Oak Point accumulate an average of around $30,893 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $342, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#12

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN

Purdue University Global came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the small city of Indianapolis.

Of the 403 students majoring in nursing at Purdue University Global, 10% are male and 90% are female.

On average, nursing graduates from Purdue University Global take out $41,009 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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Mount Carmel College of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the large city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College of Nursing is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Of the 380 students majoring in nursing at Mount Carmel College of Nursing, 11% are male and 89% are female.

Nursing majors at Mount Carmel College of Nursing take out an average of $29,713 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $365.

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With a ranking of #14, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. UC is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati.

About 87% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 13% are male.

On average, nursing graduates from UC take out $30,610 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $247.

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#15

Xavier University

Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Xavier is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Cincinnati.

Of the 367 students majoring in nursing at Xavier, 19% are male and 81% are female.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Xavier take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $28,826. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $726.

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#16

Marian University

Indianapolis, IN

Marian University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Marian is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Women make up 85% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Marian accumulate an average of around $38,168 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $192.

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University of Michigan - Flint came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UM Flint is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Flint.

About 83% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 17% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at UM Flint accumulate an average of around $38,230 in student debt.

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Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 305 students majoring in nursing at Ohio State, 14% are male and 86% are female.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Ohio State take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $26,296. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $277, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#19

University of Toledo

Toledo, OH

University of Toledo came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large city of Toledo, University of Toledo is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Of the 297 students majoring in nursing at University of Toledo, 14% are male and 86% are female.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from University of Toledo carry an average student debt load of $21,050. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $141.

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With a ranking of #20, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. UIC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Chicago.

About 83% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 17% are male.

On average, nursing graduates from UIC take out $21,477 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $299, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#21

Madonna University

Livonia, MI

Madonna University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the small city of Livonia, Madonna is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

About 84% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 16% are male.

Nursing majors at Madonna take out an average of $33,827 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $260, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the large city of Cincinnati, The Christ College is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Women make up 94% of the nursing majors at the school.

On average, nursing graduates from The Christ College take out $33,731 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $226.

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With a ranking of #23, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. UW Oshkosh is a large public school located in the small city of Oshkosh.

Women make up 90% of the nursing majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from UW Oshkosh carry an average student debt load of $26,175. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $177, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#24

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Cleveland.

Women make up 83% of the nursing majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Cleveland State University carry an average student debt load of $29,957. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $209.

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University of Detroit Mercy landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Detroit.

About 90% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 10% are male.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Detroit Mercy take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $32,080. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $389.

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Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
29 Baker College Owosso, MI
30 University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
31 Illinois State University Normal, IL
32 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
33 Aurora University Aurora, IL
34 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN
35 Herzing University - Kenosha Kenosha, WI
36 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
37 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
37 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN

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.

  • 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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