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 analysis found Rasmussen University - Illinois to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Great Lakes Region . Located in Rockford, Illinois, the small private for-profit school awarded 950 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $14,294 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Illinois. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $21,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Illinois. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at Madison Area Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region . Madison College is located in Madison, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,366 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,607 in tuition and fees if they attend Madison College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,812. On average, associate degree students take out $17,344 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Madison College 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. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Herzing University - Akron is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Herzing Akron is located in Akron, Ohio and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 109 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend Herzing Akron, expect to pay an average of $12,750 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 $24,352 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Herzing Akron does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 120 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ivy Tech Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 8,655 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Indiana who attend Ivy Tech Community College full time pay an average of $4,637 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,927. On average, associate degree students take out $11,835 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Ivy Tech Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend James A Rhodes State College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Lima, Ohio, the small public school handed out 301 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $4,532 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rhodes State College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,742. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,353 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rhodes State College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 35% took at least some of their classes online.
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This very small private for-profit school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 171 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is $13,208. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Wisconsin accumulate an average of $21,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Rasmussen University - Wisconsin does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 796 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Wisconsin who attend CVTC full time pay an average of $4,642 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,793. Associate Degree recipients from CVTC accumulate an average of $16,093 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
CVTC 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #8, Schoolcraft College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Livonia, Michigan, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,043 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Michigan who attend Schoolcraft College full time pay an average of $5,650 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,652. Associate Degree recipients from Schoolcraft College accumulate an average of $13,741 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Schoolcraft College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Oakton Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Oakton Community College is located in Des Plaines, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 691 associate degrees to qualified students.
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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,638 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Oakton Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 80% 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. Located in Palatine, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 1,920 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Harper College full time pay an average of $9,942 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,754. On average, associate degree students take out $13,214 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Harper College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Southwest Tech is a public institution located in Fennimore, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 220 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Southwest Tech is $4,571. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,731. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,841 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southwest Tech. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 35% took at least some of their classes online.
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. Ironton, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 71 students in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $15,914 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at OHIO Southern, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Delta College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University Center, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 901 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Delta College is $6,980. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,250. Associate Degree recipients from Delta College accumulate an average of $12,609 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Delta College 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. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lansing Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Lansing, Michigan, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,276 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Michigan who attend LCC full time pay an average of $7,340 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,760. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,495 in student loans.
Online courses are available at LCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 90% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Gateway Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Gateway Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Kenosha, Wisconsin that handed out 654 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Gateway Technical College is $4,766. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,917. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,800 in student loans.
Gateway Technical College 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. In 2020-2021 about 36% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Parkland College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 753 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $11,580 in tuition and fees if they attend Parkland College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,930. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,935 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Parkland College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Western Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the small public school awarded 624 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,636 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Western Technical College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,788. On average, associate degree students take out $15,730 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Western Technical College. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #18, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 948 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,814 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NWTC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,965. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,597 in student loans.
NWTC 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. In 2020-2021 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and it awarded 142 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend University of St. Francis Fort Wayne, expect to pay an average of $34,050 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 $21,961 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at University of St. Francis Fort Wayne. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Appleton, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,009 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,826 in tuition and fees if they attend FVTC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,977. Associate Degree recipients from FVTC accumulate an average of $11,433 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at FVTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 31% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Blackhawk Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. BTC is located in Janesville, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 221 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Wisconsin who attend BTC full time pay an average of $4,642 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,793. Associate Degree recipients from BTC accumulate an average of $12,545 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BTC. In 2020-2021 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Waubonsee 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 #22 on the list. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 994 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Waubonsee full time pay an average of $10,626 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,496. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,891 in student loans.
Waubonsee 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
Joliet Junior 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 #23 on the list. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 1,391 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Joliet Junior College is $12,750. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,800. Associate Degree recipients from Joliet Junior College accumulate an average of $10,692 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Joliet Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
St Clair County Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. SC4 is a small public school situated in Port Huron, Michigan. It awarded 798 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from SC4 accumulate an average of $13,654 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SC4. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Moraine Park 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 #25 on the list. Located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the small public school awarded 450 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Wisconsin who attend Moraine Park Technical College full time pay an average of $4,641 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,793. Associate Degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College accumulate an average of $12,604 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Moraine Park Technical College 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 42% 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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