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Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

42 Schools Ranked
$13,962 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$24,846 Avg Student Debt*

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. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate 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. Our analysis looked at 42 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which graduate certificate programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio
2 Total Awards
$6,931 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Youngstown State University to be the best value school for nursing students who want to pursue a graduate certificate in the Great Lakes Region . This fairly large public school is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and it awarded 2 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Youngstown State University are $6,931 a year.

Youngstown State University does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 60% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Youngstown State University

6 Total Awards
$9,316 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 42 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the # 2 spot on the list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 6 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at SIUE are $9,316 a year.

Online graduate courses are available at SIUE, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#3

Concordia University, Wisconsin

Mequon, Wisconsin
69 Total Awards
$11,760 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Concordia University, Wisconsin. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Mequon, Wisconsin, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 69 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Concordia University, Wisconsin are $11,760 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Concordia University, Wisconsin. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.

Concordia University, Wisconsin also took the #3 spot in our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region rankings.

Full Concordia University, Wisconsin Report

#4

Herzing University - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
62 Total Awards
$11,680 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 42 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Herzing University - Madison landed the # 4 spot on the list. Herzing University - Madison is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 62 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Herzing University - Madison are $11,680 a year.

Since the graduate programs at Herzing University - Madison are primarily online, it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Herzing University - Madison also made our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list, coming in at #4.

Full Herzing University - Madison Report

#5

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
27 Total Awards
$13,839 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of St Francis is a great place for nursing students working on their graduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 27 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at University of Saint Francis are $13,839 per year.

University of Saint Francis does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 89% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

University of Saint Francis did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Read full report on University of St Francis

#6

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
74 Total Awards
$11,773 Average Tuition & Fees

Illinois State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Illinois State is located in Normal, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 74 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Illinois State are $11,773 per year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Illinois State. In fact, around 81% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

In addition to its great value ranking, Illinois State is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Full Illinois State University Report

#7

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
115 Total Awards
$10,582 Average Tuition & Fees

Purdue University Global came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 115 students in 2020-2021.

Purdue University Global graduate students pay an average of $10,582 in tuition and fees each year. Graduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $33,486 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Since the graduate programs at Purdue University Global are primarily online, it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read full report on Purdue University Global

#8

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
14 Total Awards
$14,960 Average Tuition & Fees

Lewis University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. Lewis University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Romeoville, Illinois that handed out 14 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Lewis are $14,960 a year.

Lewis does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.

Lewis not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Read More…

#9

Alverno College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
15 Total Awards
$10,402 Average Tuition & Fees

Alverno College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 15 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Alverno are $10,402 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Alverno. In 2019-2020 about 16% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#10

Xavier University

Cincinnati, Ohio
7 Total Awards
$12,076 Average Tuition & Fees

Xavier University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 7 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Xavier are $12,076 a year.

Xavier does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Xavier University

#11

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
30 Total Awards
$17,400 Average Tuition & Fees

Bradley University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 30 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Bradley are $17,400 per year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Bradley. During the 2019-2020 year, about 95% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Bradley also made our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list, coming in at #2.

Read full report on Bradley University

#12

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, Indiana
1 Total Awards
$11,356 Average Tuition & Fees

Purdue University Northwest ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Hammond, Indiana, the medium-sized public school handed out 1 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Purdue Northwest are $11,356 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Purdue Northwest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 54% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#13

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
6 Total Awards
$12,190 Average Tuition & Fees

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Olivet Nazarene is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Olivet Nazarene are $12,190 a year.

One thing to take note of is that Olivet Nazarene does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 97% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

16 Total Awards
$10,440 Average Tuition & Fees

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. IWU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Marion, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at IWU are $10,440 per year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at IWU. In fact, around 90% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Report

1 Total Awards
$12,888 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, Franciscan University of Steubenville did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Steubenville, Ohio, and it awarded 1 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Franciscan U are $12,888 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Franciscan U does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Franciscan University of Steubenville

3 Total Awards
$11,936 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at University of Akron Main Campus are $11,936 a year.

University of Akron Main Campus does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Report

#17

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois
2 Total Awards
$14,184 Average Tuition & Fees

North Park University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at North Park are $14,184 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at North Park. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on North Park University

10 Total Awards
$17,712 Average Tuition & Fees

Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Athens, Ohio, the large public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at OHIO Athens are $17,712 a year.

One thing to take note of is that OHIO Athens does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 70% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#19

University of Michigan - Flint

Flint, Michigan
15 Total Awards
$18,747 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Michigan - Flint came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Flint, Michigan, the medium-sized public school awarded 15 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at UM Flint are $18,747 per year.

UM Flint does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of Michigan - Flint

#20

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
20 Total Awards
$21,960 Average Tuition & Fees

Marquette University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. Marquette is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Marquette graduate students pay an average of $21,960 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Marquette. In fact, around 58% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Marquette also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Read More…

#21

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
9 Total Awards
$17,904 Average Tuition & Fees

Grand Valley State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, the large public school awarded 9 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

GVSU graduate students pay an average of $17,904 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since GVSU does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 73% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Grand Valley State University Report

#22

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana
19 Total Awards
$19,815 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Southern Indiana landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. University of Southern Indiana is a medium-sized public school located in Evansville, Indiana that handed out 19 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at USI are $19,815 per year.

Online graduate courses are available at USI, 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 96% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of Southern Indiana Report

#23

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
9 Total Awards
$19,894 Average Tuition & Fees

Loyola University Chicago came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 9 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Loyola Chicago are $19,894 a year.

Loyola Chicago does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Loyola University Chicago

#24

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
3 Total Awards
$25,501 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #24 on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 3 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison graduate students pay an average of $25,501 in tuition and fees each year.

UW - Madison does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.

UW - Madison excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Read More…

13 Total Awards
$24,286 Average Tuition & Fees

Wright State University - Main Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 13 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Wright State University - Main Campus are $24,286 a year. On average, graduate certificate students take out $28,259 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Wright State University - Main Campus does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 73% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

View Best Value Graduate Certificate Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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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