2023 Most Popular 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 331 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Nursing program at each school on the list.
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2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Nursing Colleges.
Top 25 Most Popular Great Lakes Region Schools in Nursing
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 . Located in the large suburb of Addison, Chamberlain - Illinois is a private for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Illinois take out $33,687 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $283, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
The excellent programs at Ohio University - Athens Campus helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region . OHIO Athens is a very large public school located in the town of Athens.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at OHIO Athens take out is $23,099. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $209.
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. Ivy Tech Community College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Indianapolis.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Ivy Tech Community College take out is $12,000.
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. Located in the city of Cincinnati, UC is a public school with a fairly large student population.
On average, nursing graduates from UC take out $46,819 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 $327.
Read full report on Nursing at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means is a great place for nursing students. Located in the of <nil>, <nil> is a college with a student population.
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. IWU is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion.
On average, nursing graduates from IWU take out $38,598 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $450, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. IUPUI is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Indianapolis.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at IUPUI accumulate an average of around $30,533 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $192.
Kent State University at Kent ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State is a public college with a very large student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Kent State carry an average student debt load of $27,833. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $213.
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. Ohio State is a very large public school located in the large city of Columbus.
Nursing majors at Ohio State take out an average of $35,734 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $302, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Purdue University Northwest landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Purdue Northwest is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of Hammond.
Nursing majors at Purdue Northwest take out an average of $25,736 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $155, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Loyola Chicago is a 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 is $42,375. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $862, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #12, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan is a public school with a large student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Eastern Michigan carry an average student debt load of $28,676. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $144, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, SIUE is a public school with a large student population.
Nursing majors at SIUE take out an average of $44,206 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 $247.
Full Nursing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Report
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. Located in the large city of Chicago, UIC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Nursing majors at UIC take out an average of $66,847 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $465.
Oakland University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Oakland is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Rochester Hills.
On average, nursing graduates from Oakland take out $32,785 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $180, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Xavier University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.
Nursing majors at Xavier take out an average of $29,875 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $713, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Oak Point University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Oak Point is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Oak Brook.
Nursing majors at Oak Point take out an average of $43,250 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $351, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
University of Michigan - Flint landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the city of Flint, UM Flint is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at UM Flint accumulate an average of around $47,607 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $95, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at University of Michigan - Flint
Mount Carmel College of Nursing landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Mount Carmel College of Nursing is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Columbus.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Mount Carmel College of Nursing carry an average student debt load of $28,732. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $404.
Rasmussen University - Illinois ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the 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
Spring Arbor University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Spring Arbor is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small suburb of Spring Arbor.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Spring Arbor take out is $39,278.
University of Toledo landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. University of Toledo is a fairly large public school located in the city of Toledo.
On average, nursing graduates from University of Toledo take out $34,750 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $220, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Marquette University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, Marquette is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Marquette take out $51,997 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $529, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #24, Rush University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Rush University take out $80,137 in student loans while working on their degree.
Herzing University - Madison landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the city of Madison, Herzing University - Madison is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Herzing University - Madison take out $29,256 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $175.
Rest of the Top Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Honorable Mentions
Here are some additional popular schools for Nursing students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Galen College of Nursing - Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH |
| 52 | Benedictine University | Lisle, IL |
| 52 | Viterbo University | La Crosse, WI |
| 54 | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, IL |
| 55 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL |
| 56 | Owens Community College | Perrysburg, OH |
| 57 | University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN |
| 57 | University of St Francis | Joliet, IL |
| 59 | Ball State University | Muncie, IN |
| 60 | Aurora University | Aurora, IL |
| 60 | Ursuline College | Pepper Pike, OH |
| 60 | Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa | Wauwatosa, WI |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 7,345 |
| Ohio | 13,973 |
| Illinois | 21,938 |
| Indiana | 7,922 |
| Wisconsin | 5,410 |
Nursing Related Majors
Nursing Concentrations
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.
- 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.