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Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region

152 Colleges
$35,045 Avg Salary
$11,219 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants School for You

In 2021-2022, 85,339 practical nursing & nursing assistants students received a degree or certificate, making the major the #2 most popular in the country.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 152 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Colleges.

Top 15% Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools

#1

Verve College

Oak Brook, IL

Our analysis found Verve College to be the best school for practical nursing & nursing assistants students who want to pursue a degree in the Great Lakes Region . Verve College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Oak Brook.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Verve College take out is $11,600.

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#2

Ohio Institute of Allied Health

Huber Heights, OH

The excellent programs at Ohio Institute of Allied Health helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools in the Great Lakes Region . Ohio Institute of Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Huber Heights.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Ohio Institute of Allied Health Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Detroit Business Institute-Downriver. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the suburb of Riverview, DBI Downriver is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at DBI Downriver accumulate an average of around $13,583 in student debt.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Detroit Business Institute-Downriver Report

#4

Ambria College of Nursing

Hoffman Estates, IL

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ambria College of Nursing. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ambria College of Nursing is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Hoffman Estates.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Ambria College of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $9,500.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Ambria College of Nursing Report

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Capital Area School of Practical Nursing is a great place for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. CASPN is a small public school located in the city of Springfield.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at CASPN accumulate an average of around $9,500 in student debt.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Capital Area School of Practical Nursing Report

Madison Area Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of Madison, Madison College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Madison Area Technical College

MDT College of Health Sciences ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. ATS Institute of Technology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at ATS Institute of Technology accumulate an average of around $19,500 in student debt.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at MDT College of Health Sciences Report

Career Center of Southern Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the rural area of Red Bud, Beck School of Practical Nursing is a public school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Beck School of Practical Nursing take out is $15,170.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Career Center of Southern Illinois

Moraine Park Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Fond du Lac.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Moraine Park Technical College carry an average student debtload of $3,500.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Moraine Park Technical College

Central School of Practical Nursing came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Independence, Central School of Practical Nursing is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at Central School of Practical Nursing accumulate an average of around $9,500 in student debt.

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Miami Valley Career Technology Center came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Miami Valley CTC is a small public school located in the suburb of Englewood.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Miami Valley CTC take out is $13,914.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Miami Valley Career Technology Center

#12

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the large city of Indianapolis.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Ivy Tech Community College carry an average student debtload of $8,325.

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Fox Valley Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. FVTC is a large public school located in the midsize suburb of Appleton.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at FVTC accumulate an average of around $8,250 in student debt.

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#14

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best practical nursing & nursing assistants programs. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Oakton Community College

#15

Blackhawk Technical College

Janesville, WI

Blackhawk Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. BTC is a small public school located in the suburb of Janesville.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from BTC carry an average student debtload of $3,500.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Blackhawk Technical College Report

#16

Northern Career Institute

Eastlake, OH

Northern Career Institute landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best practical nursing & nursing assistants programs. Located in the suburb of Eastlake, Northern Career Institute is a public college with a fairly small student population.

Practical Nursing majors at Northern Career Institute take out an average of $9,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

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Herzing University - Brookfield came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Herzing University - Brookfield is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Brookfield.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Herzing University - Brookfield take out $14,375 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Herzing University - Brookfield Report

Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the small city of Eau Claire, CVTC is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at CVTC take out is $11,562.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Chippewa Valley Technical College

#19

College of Lake County

Grayslake, IL

College of Lake County landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best practical nursing & nursing assistants programs. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College of Lake County is a public school with a large student population.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of Lake County

William Rainey Harper College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best practical nursing & nursing assistants programs. Harper College is a large public school located in the large suburb of Palatine.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Harper College carry an average student debtload of $6,258.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at William Rainey Harper College

With a ranking of #21, Tri-Rivers Career Center did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. Tri-Rivers Career Center is a fairly small public school located in the distant town of Marion.

Practical Nursing majors at Tri-Rivers Career Center take out an average of $9,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Tri-Rivers Career Center

Herzing University - Kenosha came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the midsize suburb of Kenosha, Herzing University - Kenosha is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Herzing University - Kenosha take out is $14,375.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Herzing University - Kenosha

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing & Nursing Assistants students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
23 Kellogg Community College Battle Creek, MI
24 Apollo Career Center Lima, OH
25 Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI
26 Athena Career Academy Toledo, OH
27 Ohio Medical Career College Dayton, OH
28 Sandusky Career Center Sandusky, OH
29 Wayne County Schools Career Center Smithville, OH
30 Upper Valley Career Center Piqua, OH

Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Colleges by State

Explore the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 0
Ohio 0
Illinois 0

Practical Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training 45,031
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide 35,655
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants 4,653

Related Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 319,502

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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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