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Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

305 Colleges
$67,647 Avg Salary
$27,241 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing 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.

The Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 305 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Check out the nursing programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 25 Top Great Lakes Region Schools in Nursing

Our analysis found Trinity Health System School of Nursing to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a degree in the Great Lakes Region . Trinity Health System School of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Trinity Health System School of Nursing take out is $20,824.

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Out of the 305 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Graham Hospital School of Nursing landed the # 2 spot on the list. Graham Hospital School of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Canton.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Saint Elizabeth School of Nursing. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and University of Saint Francis Cooperative Nursing Program is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lafayette.

Nursing majors at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and University of Saint Francis Cooperative Nursing Program take out an average of $43,960 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $424.

Read full report on Nursing at Saint Elizabeth School of Nursing

#4

Ohio Institute of Allied Health

Huber Heights, OH

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Ohio Institute of Allied Health is a great place for nursing students. Ohio Institute of Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Huber Heights.

Full Nursing at Ohio Institute of Allied Health Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Sandusky.

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.

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Ohio Medical Career College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ohio Medical Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Dayton.

Nursing majors at Ohio Medical Career College take out an average of $27,971 in student loans while working on their egree.

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University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UW - Madison is a fairly large public school located in the city of Madison.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UW - Madison take out is $24,104.

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Tri-Rivers Career Center ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Tri-Rivers Career Center is a fairly small public school located in the town of Marion.

On average, nursing graduates from Tri-Rivers Career Center take out $27,748 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Nursing at Tri-Rivers Career Center

With a ranking of #9, Chamberlain University - Michigan did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the small city of Troy, Chamberlain - Michigan is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Michigan take out $38,460 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $256.

Full Nursing at Chamberlain University - Michigan Report

#10

Ottawa University - Milwaukee

Brookfield, WI

Ottawa University - Milwaukee ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ottawa University - Milwaukee is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Brookfield.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Ottawa University - Milwaukee carry an average student debtload of $26,768.

Full Nursing at Ottawa University - Milwaukee Report

With a ranking of #11, Chamberlain University - Ohio did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Columbus, Chamberlain - Ohio is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Ohio carry an average student debtload of $38,460. 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 - Ohio

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. UWM Flexible Option is a small public school located in the large city of Milwaukee.

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.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex

#13

Chamberlain University - Indiana

Indianapolis, IN

Chamberlain University - Indiana landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Chamberlain - Indiana is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Indianapolis.

Nursing majors at Chamberlain - Indiana 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.

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Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. RFUMS is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Chicago.

Read full report on Nursing at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Chamberlain University - Illinois ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large suburb of Addison, Chamberlain - Illinois is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Illinois take out $38,460 in student loans while working on their degree. 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

#16

Ambria College of Nursing

Hoffman Estates, IL

Ambria College of Nursing ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ambria College of Nursing is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of Hoffman Estates.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Ambria College of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $34,750.

Full Nursing at Ambria College of Nursing Report

Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Rockford, Rasmussen University - Illinois is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Rasmussen University - Illinois take out $35,539 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 $161.

Read full report on Nursing at Rasmussen University - Illinois

Collins Career Technical Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the rural area of Chesapeake, CollinsCTC is a public school with a fairly small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from CollinsCTC take out $24,180 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Nursing at Collins Career Technical Center

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UW - Eau Claire is a large public school located in the small city of Eau Claire.

Nursing majors at UW - Eau Claire take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

#20

Sandusky Career Center

Sandusky, OH

Sandusky Career Center came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Sandusky Career Center is a fairly small public school located in the town of Sandusky.

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#21

Rush University

Chicago, IL

Rush University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large city of Chicago, Rush University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Nursing at Rush University Report

#22

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the small city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Nursing majors at Illinois Wesleyan take out an average of $26,855 in student loans while working on their egree.

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With a ranking of #23, Madison Area Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the large city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Madison College take out $26,156 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Nursing at Madison Area Technical College

Saint Anthony College of Nursing landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. SACN is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Rockford.

On average, nursing graduates from SACN take out $25,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $281, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Case Western Reserve University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large city of Cleveland, Case Western is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Nursing majors at Case Western take out an average of $24,201 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $272.

Full Nursing at Case Western Reserve University Report

Rest of the Top Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

#29

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI
#30

Saint Mary's College

Notre Dame, IN
#33

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN
#39

Bradley University

Peoria, IL
#40

Oak Point University

Chicago, IL
#42

Otterbein University

Westerville, OH
#43

Hope College

Holland, MI
#45

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

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 Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
46 Illinois State University Normal, IL
47 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI
48 Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI
49 Kettering College Kettering, OH
50 Edgewood College Madison, WI
51 Herzing University - Kenosha Kenosha, WI
52 Athena Career Academy Toledo, OH
53 Schoolcraft College Livonia, MI
54 Carroll University Waukesha, WI
55 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
56 Rasmussen University - Wisconsin Green Bay, WI
57 Concordia University, Chicago River Forest, IL
58 Ball State University Muncie, IN
59 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
60 Mount Carmel College of Nursing Columbus, OH
61 Viterbo University La Crosse, 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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