2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region
With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 120 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Rasmussen University - Illinois the best school in the Great Lakes Region for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Illinois is $13,883. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,566 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Rasmussen University - Illinois does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 120 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Madison Area Technical College landed the # 2 spot on the list.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,600 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Madison College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,769. Associate Degree recipients from Madison College accumulate an average of $21,947 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Madison College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Herzing University - Akron. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
If you want to attend Herzing Akron, expect to pay an average of $14,200 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Herzing Akron accumulate an average of $33,509 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Herzing Akron. During the 2019-2020 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ivy Tech Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $4,637 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Ivy Tech Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,927. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,984 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Ivy Tech Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means James A Rhodes State College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,397 in tuition and fees if they attend Rhodes State College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,721. On average, associate degree students take out $16,411 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rhodes State College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 42% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is $12,860. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,566 in student loans.
Since Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
With a ranking of #7, Chippewa Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CVTC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,683. Associate Degree recipients from CVTC accumulate an average of $20,208 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CVTC. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #8, Schoolcraft College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Schoolcraft College is $5,494. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,574. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,698 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Schoolcraft College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Oakton Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $10,446 in tuition and fees if they attend Oakton Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,462. On average, associate degree students take out $12,398 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Oakton Community College. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
William Rainey Harper College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Harper College is $9,870. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,682. On average, associate degree students take out $15,799 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Harper College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Students from Wisconsin who attend Southwest Tech full time pay an average of $4,571 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,683. On average, associate degree students take out $14,718 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Southwest Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Ohio University - Southern Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,209 in student loans.
OHIO Southern does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 87% took at least some of their classes online.
Delta College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Delta College is $6,860. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,100. Associate Degree recipients from Delta College accumulate an average of $16,057 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Delta College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Lansing Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LCC is $7,340. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,760. On average, associate degree students take out $19,441 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Gateway Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,688 in tuition and fees if they attend Gateway Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,803. On average, associate degree students take out $18,525 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Gateway Technical College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #16, Parkland College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Students from Illinois who attend Parkland College full time pay an average of $11,580 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,930. Associate Degree recipients from Parkland College accumulate an average of $11,845 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Parkland College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #17, Western Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,572 in tuition and fees if they attend Western Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,687. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,870 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Western Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NWTC is $4,734. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,849. On average, associate degree students take out $19,312 in loans while pursuing their degree.
NWTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list.
If you want to attend University of St. Francis Fort Wayne, expect to pay an average of $33,390 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,695 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at University of St. Francis Fort Wayne. In 2019-2020 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne
With a ranking of #20, Fox Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,746 in tuition and fees if they attend FVTC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,861. Associate Degree recipients from FVTC accumulate an average of $15,318 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at FVTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 42% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Blackhawk Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BTC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,683. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,392 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BTC. In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Waubonsee Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $9,271 in tuition and fees if they attend Waubonsee full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,076. On average, associate degree students take out $12,163 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Waubonsee. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Joliet Junior College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $12,570 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Joliet Junior College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,410. Associate Degree recipients from Joliet Junior College accumulate an average of $13,342 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Joliet Junior College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
St Clair County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SC4 is $8,950. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,490. Associate Degree recipients from SC4 accumulate an average of $16,827 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
SC4 does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 67% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Moraine Park Technical College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,683. On average, associate degree students take out $16,836 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Moraine Park Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 12% took at least some of their classes online.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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