2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Finding the Best Nursing School for You
Nursing is the most popular major in the United States with 55,295 degrees and certificates handed out in 2021-2022.
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.
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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 2023 rankings named Trinity Health System School of Nursing the best school in the Great Lakes Region for nursing students. Trinity Health System School of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Trinity Health System School of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $14,625.
Read full report on Nursing at Trinity Health System School of Nursing
The excellent programs at Graham Hospital School of Nursing helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region . Graham Hospital School of Nursing is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Canton.
Read full report on Nursing at Graham Hospital School of Nursing
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Elizabeth School of Nursing. It ranked #3 on our 2023 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.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and University of Saint Francis Cooperative Nursing Program accumulate an average of around $29,057 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $499, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Ohio Institute of Allied Health. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ohio Institute of Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Huber Heights.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Ohio Institute of Allied Health accumulate an average of around $9,500 in student debt.
Out of the 305 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing landed the # 5 spot on the list. Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Sandusky.
Nursing majors at Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing take out an average of $11,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
Ohio Medical Career College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. Ohio Medical Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Dayton.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Ohio Medical Career College take out is $14,758.
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 very large public school located in the city of Madison.
Nursing majors at UW - Madison take out an average of $37,881 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 $325.
Tri-Rivers Career Center came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Tri-Rivers Career Center is a fairly small public school located in the distant town of Marion.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Tri-Rivers Career Center accumulate an average of around $14,260 in student debt.
Chamberlain University - Michigan ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the small city of Troy, Chamberlain - Michigan is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Nursing majors at Chamberlain - Michigan take out an average of $22,213 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $283, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #10, Ottawa University - Milwaukee did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Ottawa University - Milwaukee 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 Ottawa University - Milwaukee take out is $19,225.
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.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Chamberlain - Ohio accumulate an average of around $22,213 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $283, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at Chamberlain University - Ohio
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UWM Flexible Option is a small public school located in the city of Milwaukee.
On average, nursing graduates from UWM Flexible Option take out $21,500 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 $218.
Read full report on Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex
Chamberlain University - Indiana did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. Chamberlain - Indiana is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis.
Nursing majors at Chamberlain - Indiana take out an average of $22,213 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $283, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at Chamberlain University - Indiana
With a ranking of #14, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. RFUMS is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Chicago.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at RFUMS accumulate an average of around $179,695 in student debt.
Read full report on Nursing at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Chamberlain University - Illinois landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain - Illinois is a private for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Chamberlain - Illinois take out is $33,687. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $283, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Ambria College of Nursing came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ambria College of Nursing is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Hoffman Estates.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Ambria College of Nursing take out is $30,500.
Rasmussen University - Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Rockford, Rasmussen University - Illinois is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of around $22,529 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 $221.
Read full report on Nursing at Rasmussen University - Illinois
With a ranking of #18, Collins Career Technical Center did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the rural area of Chesapeake, CollinsCTC is a public school with a small student population.
Nursing majors at CollinsCTC take out an average of $14,167 in student loans while working on their egree.
Read full report on Nursing at Collins Career Technical Center
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Eau Claire.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UW - Eau Claire carry an average student debtload of $35,344.
Sandusky Career Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. Sandusky Career Center is a fairly small public school located in the distant town of Sandusky.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Sandusky Career Center accumulate an average of around $14,514 in student debt.
Rush University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Nursing majors at Rush University take out an average of $80,137 in student loans while working on their egree.
With a ranking of #22, Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Illinois Wesleyan carry an average student debtload of $27,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $297.
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.
Nursing majors at Madison College take out an average of $19,874 in student loans while working on their egree.
With a ranking of #24, Saint Anthony College of Nursing did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. SACN is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from SACN carry an average student debtload of $20,000. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $319, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Cleveland, Case Western is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Case Western accumulate an average of around $75,624 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $351, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Rest of the Top Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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 |
Rankings in Majors Related to Nursing
Nursing Concentrations
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 262,974 |
| Family Practice Nurse/Nursing | 16,647 |
| Nursing Practice | 8,862 |
| Nursing Administration | 8,663 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4,717 |
| Nursing Science | 4,701 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing | 2,895 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing | 2,075 |
| Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing | 2,011 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 1,768 |
| Critical Care Nursing | 747 |
| Geriatric Nurse/Nursing | 622 |
| Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery | 567 |
| School Nursing | 539 |
| Clinical Nurse Leader | 502 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 340 |
| Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing | 269 |
| Women’s Health Nurse/Nursing | 262 |
| Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing | 192 |
| Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing | 87 |
| Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing | 26 |
| Forensic Nursing | 23 |
| Palliative Care Nursing | 13 |
Most Popular Majors Related to Nursing
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 85,339 |
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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