2023 Best Nursing 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.
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 254 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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Top Nursing 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 degree. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17,447 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UW - Madison accumulate an average of $31,074 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $400. Once they receive their degree, UW - Madison graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,802 during the early year of their career.
Out of the 254 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ottawa University - Milwaukee landed the # 2 spot on the list. Brookfield, Wisconsin is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 79 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,766 in student loans.After graduating from Ottawa University - Milwaukee, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,885 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Madison Area Technical College is a great place for nursing students. This fairly large public school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 3,280 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,784 in student loans.After graduating from Madison College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,202 during the early years of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This very small public school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 132 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $19,736 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $196 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UWM Flexible Option graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,102 during the early year of their career.
Read full report on University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex
The excellent programs at Rasmussen University - Illinois helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region . Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 1,312 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $22,566 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Rasmussen University - Illinois, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,940 during the early years of their career.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin that handed out 1,719 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College accumulate an average of $10,552 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Moraine Park Technical College graduates make an average of $37,031 annually.
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #7 on the list. UW - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,030 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $23,908 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UW - Eau Claire, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,330 during the early years of their career.
Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Bloomington, Illinois, and it awarded 404 degrees in 2021-2022.
For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $420.After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,102 during the early years of their career.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Case Western is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,885 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Case Western accumulate an average of $93,440 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $683. During the early years of their career, Case Western graduates make an average of $62,001 annually.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 5,944 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $44,880 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $777, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Loyola Chicago graduates make an average of $47,459 annually.
With a ranking of #11, Purdue University Northwest did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Purdue University Northwest is a medium-sized public school located in Hammond, Indiana that handed out 1,940 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Purdue Northwest accumulate an average of $26,260 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $155 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Purdue Northwest graduates make an average of $43,610 annually.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ivy Tech Community College is a large public school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 31,118 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,090 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Ivy Tech Community College graduates make an average of $35,780 annually.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Fox Valley Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Appleton, Wisconsin that handed out 3,648 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from FVTC accumulate an average of $10,430 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from FVTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,943 during the early years of their career.
Oakton Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and it awarded 1,875 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,638 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Oakton Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,340 during the early year of their career.
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. UW - Green Bay is a medium-sized public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 1,823 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $21,408 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $131. Once they receive their degree, UW - Green Bay graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,510 during the early year of their career.
Marquette University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Marquette is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,757 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Marquette accumulate an average of $58,434 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $579 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Marquette graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,581 during the early year of their career.
Saint Mary’s College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. St. Mary’s College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 415 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from St. Mary’s College accumulate an average of $38,743 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, St. Mary’s College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,893 during the early year of their career.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,576 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,817 in student loans. During the early years of their career, CVTC graduates make an average of $40,325 annually.
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 15,687 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $43,510 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $557 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from U-M, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,051 during the early years of their career.
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. UW Oshkosh is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,708 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UW Oshkosh accumulate an average of $24,011 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $175 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UW Oshkosh, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,232 during the early years of their career.
Blackhawk Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. BTC is a public institution located in Janesville, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 795 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,247 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, BTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,255 during the early year of their career.
College of Lake County landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 4,149 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from College of Lake County accumulate an average of $10,385 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, College of Lake County graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,083 during the early year of their career.
Ohio Northern University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Ada, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 637 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,136 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $281. During the early years of their career, ONU graduates make an average of $54,915 annually.
William Rainey Harper College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,419 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Harper College accumulate an average of $12,072 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Harper College graduates make an average of $43,420 annually.
University of St Francis landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. University of Saint Francis is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 980 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $34,659 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $410, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, University of Saint Francis graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,805 during the early year of their career.
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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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