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Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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

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

Finding the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree School for You

Nursing is the most popular major in the United States with 57,106 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. 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, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 167 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best bachelor's degree programs for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school is, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Colleges.

Top 25 Top Great Lakes Region Schools for a Bachelor's in Nursing

Our analysis found University of Wisconsin - Madison to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the Great Lakes Region . UW - Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison.

On average, nursing graduates from UW - Madison take out $23,855 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Madison

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Chamberlain University - Michigan is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Troy, Chamberlain - Michigan is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Chamberlain - Michigan 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 - Michigan Report

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Ottawa University - Milwaukee helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region . Ottawa University - Milwaukee is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookfield.

Nursing majors at Ottawa University - Milwaukee take out an average of $29,652 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Nursing at Ottawa University - Milwaukee Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chamberlain University - Ohio. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Columbus, Chamberlain - Ohio is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Chamberlain - Ohio 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.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UWM Flexible Option is a small public school located in the city of Milwaukee.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from UWM Flexible Option carry an average student debtload of $29,922. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $182.

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Chamberlain University - Indiana did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Chamberlain - Indiana is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Indianapolis.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Indiana carry an average student debtload of $37,103. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $256.

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Chamberlain University - Illinois landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain - Illinois is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.

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.

Read More…

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. UW - Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at UW - Eau Claire accumulate an average of around $24,728 in student debt.

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Loyola University Chicago landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Loyola Chicago take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $28,313. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $767, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#10

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Illinois Wesleyan carry an average student debtload of $23,536.

Read full report on Nursing at Illinois Wesleyan University

Purdue University Northwest came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Purdue Northwest is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Hammond.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Purdue Northwest take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $27,233. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $152.

Read full report on Nursing at Purdue University Northwest

Saint Anthony College of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #12 on the list. SACN is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Rockford.

Nursing majors at SACN take out an average of $27,286 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's 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

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the city of Oshkosh, UW Oshkosh is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from UW Oshkosh take out $26,175 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $177, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Report

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. U-M is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at U-M take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $18,552. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $306.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Green Bay, UW - Green Bay is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

On average, nursing graduates from UW - Green Bay take out $29,014 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Report

#16

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, Marquette is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $511.

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#17

Saint Mary's College

Notre Dame, IN

Saint Mary’s College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. St. Mary's College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Notre Dame.

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Ohio Northern University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. ONU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ada.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at ONU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $26,721.

Read full report on Nursing at Ohio Northern University

#19

Oak Point University

Chicago, IL

Oak Point University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Oak Point is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Chicago.

Nursing majors at Oak Point take out an average of $30,893 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $342, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Oak Point University

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UWM is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Milwaukee.

On average, nursing graduates from UWM take out $29,922 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 $182.

Full Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Report

#21

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

Ball State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Ball State is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Muncie.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Ball State accumulate an average of around $25,568 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $241, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Case Western Reserve University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Cleveland, Case Western is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $272.

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With a ranking of #23, Herzing University - Brookfield did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Herzing University - Brookfield is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Brookfield.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Herzing University - Brookfield take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $42,677. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $204, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Herzing University - Brookfield

#24

McKendree University

Lebanon, IL

With a ranking of #24, McKendree University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the large suburb of Lebanon, McKendree is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at McKendree accumulate an average of around $26,127 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at McKendree University

Milwaukee School of Engineering ranked #25 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. MSOE is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Milwaukee.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at MSOE take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $39,895.

Read More…

Honorable Mentions

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

Rank College Location
26 Hope College Holland, MI
27 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI
28 Edgewood College Madison, WI
29 Illinois State University Normal, IL
30 Kettering College Kettering, OH
31 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
32 Herzing University - Kenosha Kenosha, WI
33 Carroll University Waukesha, WI

Best Nursing Colleges by State

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

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 7,345
Ohio 13,973
Illinois 21,938
Indiana 7,922
Wisconsin 5,410

Nursing Concentrations

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
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274

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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