2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's 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 Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 143 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best bachelor's degree programs 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 Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Wisconsin - Madison the best school in the Great Lakes Region for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UW - Madison is $10,720. Out-of-state students pay an average of $38,608. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,865 in loans while pursuing their degree.
UW - Madison 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 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 143 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ottawa University - Milwaukee landed the # 2 spot on the list.
The average tuition and fees at Ottawa University - Milwaukee is $12,616. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Ottawa University - Milwaukee accumulate an average of $31,813 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, Ottawa University - Milwaukee is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Out of the 143 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex landed the # 3 spot on the list.
By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,560 in student loans.
UWM Flexible Option is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
In-state students pay an average of $8,874 in tuition and fees if they attend UW - Eau Claire full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,149. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,216 in student loans.
UW - Eau Claire 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 81% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 143 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Loyola University Chicago landed the # 5 spot on the list.
Loyola Chicago does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $47,808. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,570 in student loans.
Loyola Chicago 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 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Illinois Wesleyan does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $52,512. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Illinois Wesleyan accumulate an average of $23,212 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
With a ranking of #7, Purdue University Northwest did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
In-state students pay an average of $7,734 in tuition and fees if they attend Purdue Northwest full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,349. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Purdue Northwest accumulate an average of $27,454 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Purdue Northwest does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UW Oshkosh is $7,733. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,306. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,363 in student loans.
Online courses are available at UW Oshkosh, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #9, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
Full-time students from Michigan pay an average of $17,193 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend U-M. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $55,097. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,457 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at U-M. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Students from Wisconsin who attend UW - Green Bay full time pay an average of $7,873 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $16,091. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,747 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UW - Green Bay. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.
Marquette University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
If you want to attend Marquette, expect to pay an average of $45,766 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,711 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Marquette does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Saint Mary’s College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.
The average tuition and fees at St. Mary’s College is $48,010. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,729 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at St. Mary’s College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Ohio Northern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list.
ONU does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $35,380. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,027 in loans while pursuing their degree.
ONU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 30% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #14, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
Students from Wisconsin who attend UWM full time pay an average of $9,610 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $21,475. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,297 in student loans.
UWM 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 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ball State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ball State is $10,290. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $27,524. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,583 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Ball State. In 2019-2020 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #16, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
Case Western does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $54,532. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,692 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Case Western does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 1% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
McKendree University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,050 to cover tuition and fees at McKendree. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,607 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that McKendree does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 16% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #18, Milwaukee School of Engineering did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
If you want to attend MSOE, expect to pay an average of $45,099 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from MSOE accumulate an average of $32,296 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MSOE. During the 2019-2020 year, about 8% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Hope College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.
The average tuition and fees at Hope is $36,650. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Hope accumulate an average of $22,982 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Hope 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 2019-2020 year, about 41% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $8,331 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UW - Stevens Point. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,035. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,570 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UW - Stevens Point. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Edgewood College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,303 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Edgewood. In 2019-2020 about 23% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Illinois State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $13,968 in tuition and fees if they attend Illinois State full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $24,172. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,109 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Illinois State does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list.
Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $9,992 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Purdue. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $28,794. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $19,133 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Purdue does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
Carroll University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $35,140 to cover tuition and fees at Carroll U. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Carroll U accumulate an average of $24,527 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Carroll U, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 40% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #25, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $34,310 to cover tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,522 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Concordia University, Chicago. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.
View Best Bachelor’s Degree Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best nursing schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI |
| 27 | University of St Francis | Joliet, IL |
| 28 | University of Michigan - Flint | Flint, MI |
| 29 | University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN |
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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