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Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

331 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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 331 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular 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.

Check out the nursing programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the Great Lakes Region .

Our analysis found Chamberlain University - Illinois to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a degree in the Great Lakes Region . Chamberlain - Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Addison.

Nursing majors at Chamberlain - Illinois 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 full report on Nursing at Chamberlain University - Illinois

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Ohio University - Athens Campus is a great place for nursing students. Located in the town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at OHIO Athens take out is $27,632. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $180, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#3

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ivy Tech Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of around $17,979 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at Ivy Tech Community College

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UC is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati.

On average, nursing graduates from UC take out $21,978 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 $247.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#5

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN

The excellent programs at Purdue University Global helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region . Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis.

On average, nursing graduates from Purdue University Global take out $39,595 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $157, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the rural area of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at IWU accumulate an average of around $30,853 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $344.

Full Nursing at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Report

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, IUPUI is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at IUPUI accumulate an average of around $28,677 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $189.

Read full report on Nursing at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

With a ranking of #8, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Kent State is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Kent.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Kent State accumulate an average of around $28,565 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $222.

Read full report on Nursing at Kent State University at Kent

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public school with a very large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Ohio State take out $26,028 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $277, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Ohio State University - Main Campus Report

Purdue University Northwest ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue Northwest is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Purdue Northwest take out $25,000 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 $152.

Full Nursing at Purdue University Northwest Report

Loyola University Chicago landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the large city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Loyola Chicago accumulate an average of around $26,000 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $767, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#12

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Eastern Michigan is a large public school located in the large suburb of Ypsilanti.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Eastern Michigan carry an average student debt load of $30,815. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $164, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Eastern Michigan University

With a ranking of #13, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. SIUE is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at SIUE take out is $23,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $215.

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University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UIC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Chicago.

On average, nursing graduates from UIC take out $19,528 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $299, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#15

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Oakland take out $31,000 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 $138.

Read full report on Nursing at Oakland University

#16

Xavier University

Cincinnati, OH

With a ranking of #16, Xavier University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Xavier is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Xavier carry an average student debt load of $27,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $726.

Read More…

#17

Oak Point University

Chicago, IL

Oak Point University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the suburb of Chicago, Oak Point is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Oak Point take out $29,000 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $342, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

University of Michigan - Flint came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UM Flint is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Flint.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UM Flint carry an average student debt load of $40,680.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Michigan - Flint

Mount Carmel College of Nursing came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Nursing majors at Mount Carmel College of Nursing take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $365.

Read More…

Rasmussen University - Illinois came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Rockford.

Nursing majors at Rasmussen University - Illinois take out an average of $35,539 in student loans while working on their egree. 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 More…

#21

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, MI

With a ranking of #21, Spring Arbor University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the small suburb of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Spring Arbor accumulate an average of around $36,200 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at Spring Arbor University

#22

University of Toledo

Toledo, OH

University of Toledo came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Toledo, University of Toledo is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at University of Toledo take out is $21,938. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $141.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Toledo

#23

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI

With a ranking of #23, Marquette University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Marquette is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Milwaukee.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Marquette carry an average student debt load of $23,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $511.

Read full report on Nursing at Marquette University

Herzing University - Madison ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Herzing University - Madison is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Herzing University - Madison accumulate an average of around $39,727 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $156, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Herzing University - Madison

#24

Rush University

Chicago, IL

Rush University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list. Rush University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

Full Nursing at Rush University Report

#26

Marian University

Indianapolis, IN
#27

Madonna University

Livonia, MI
#34

Hondros College of Nursing

Westerville, OH
#36

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH
#38

Bradley University

Peoria, IL
#38

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, IN
#40

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI
#44

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL
#45

Baker College

Owosso, MI
#47

DePaul University

Chicago, IL
#48

Mercy College of Ohio

Toledo, OH
#49

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI
#49

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

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 Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
51 Galen College of Nursing - Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH
52 Viterbo University La Crosse, WI
52 Benedictine University Lisle, IL
54 Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL
55 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
56 Owens Community College Perrysburg, OH
57 University of St Francis Joliet, IL
57 University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
59 Ball State University Muncie, IN
60 Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa Wauwatosa, WI
60 Ursuline College Pepper Pike, OH
60 Aurora University Aurora, IL
63 Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OH
64 University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN
65 Henry Ford College Dearborn, MI
66 Lansing Community College Lansing, MI

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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