2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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 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 value programs for nursing students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
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.
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Top Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Wayne County Community College District the best value school in the Great Lakes Region for nursing students working on their degree. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 81 students in 2020-2021.
WCCCD undergraduate students pay an average of $3,998 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,369 in student loans.After graduating from WCCCD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,660 during the early years of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Madison Area Technical College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Madison College is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 693 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Madison College are $6,769 per year. On average, students take out $19,738 in loans while pursuing their degree.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.
Madison College also took the #3 spot in our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region rankings.
The excellent programs at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region . This very small public school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 57 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UWM Flexible Option are $6,750 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $26,221 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 $224. 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.
UWM Flexible Option also made our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list, coming in at #4.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moraine Park Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Moraine Park Technical College is located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 566 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Moraine Park Technical College are $6,683 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,592 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.
Moraine Park Technical College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Washington State Community College is a great place for nursing students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Marietta, Ohio, the small public school awarded 82 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
WSCC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,032 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $17,496 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, WSCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,498 during the early year of their career.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 685 degrees in 2020-2021.
CVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,333 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from CVTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,325 during the early years of their career.
In addition to its great value ranking, CVTC is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Blackhawk Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #7 on the list. Janesville, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 304 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BTC are $6,683 a year. On average, students take out $14,654 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from BTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,255 during the early years of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, BTC also is in the top 10% of our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Fox Valley Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Appleton, Wisconsin, and it awarded 631 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at FVTC are $6,861 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,511 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, FVTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,943 during the early year of their career.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, FVTC also did well on our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Northcentral Technical College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. North Central Technical College is a public institution located in Wausau, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 439 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Central Technical College are $5,415 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,759 in student loans. During the early years of their career, North Central Technical College graduates make an average of $33,732 annually.
Oakland Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 120 students in 2020-2021.
Oakland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,200 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,359 in student loans.After graduating from Oakland Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,470 during the early years of their career.
Gateway Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 678 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Gateway Technical College are $6,803 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,283 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Gateway Technical College graduates make an average of $34,772 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Gateway Technical College also is in the top 15% of our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. This fairly large public school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1,020 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NWTC are $6,849 a year. On average, students take out $17,377 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, NWTC graduates make an average of $36,536 annually.
In addition to its great value ranking, NWTC is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. WCTC is a medium-sized public school situated in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 628 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,603 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,321 in student loans. During the early years of their career, WCTC graduates make an average of $38,058 annually.
Western Technical College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the small public school awarded 272 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Western Technical College are $6,687 a year. On average, students take out $16,427 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Western Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,508 during the early years of their career.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Southwest Tech is a small public school situated in Fennimore, Wisconsin. It awarded 282 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southwest Tech are $6,683 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,030 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Southwest Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,231 during the early year of their career.
Schoolcraft College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list. Schoolcraft College is a public institution located in Livonia, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 198 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Schoolcraft College are $7,574 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,481 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Schoolcraft College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,604 during the early year of their career.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,594 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ivy Tech Community College are $8,927 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,847 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Ivy Tech Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,780 during the early year of their career.
Ivy Tech Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
Delta College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. University Center, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 166 students in 2020-2021.
Delta College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,100 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,547 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Delta College graduates make an average of $40,630 annually.
Mid-State Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. Mid-State is a small public school situated in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. It awarded 274 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Mid-State are $6,351 a year. On average, students take out $14,112 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Mid-State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,188 during the early years of their career.
James A Rhodes State College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. This small public school is located in Lima, Ohio, and it awarded 131 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rhodes State College are $8,721 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,780 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Rhodes State College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,621 during the early year of their career.
In addition to its great value ranking, Rhodes State College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Henry Ford College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Henry Ford College is located in Dearborn, Michigan and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 206 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Henry Ford College are $7,192 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,475 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Henry Ford College graduates make an average of $38,713 annually.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 132 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Washtenaw Community College are $5,856 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,323 in student loans.After graduating from Washtenaw Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,288 during the early years of their career.
Highland Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Freeport, Illinois, the small public school awarded 152 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Highland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,846 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,039 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Highland Community College graduates make an average of $34,169 annually.
Lakeshore Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list. LTC is located in Cleveland, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 180 degrees to qualified students.
LTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,056 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,435 in student loans. During the early years of their career, LTC graduates make an average of $34,201 annually.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list. This small public school is located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, and it awarded 90 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WITC are $6,960 a year. On average, students take out $12,892 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WITC graduates make an average of $32,898 annually.
Rest of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Best Value Nursing Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best nursing schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | Lake Michigan College | Benton Harbor, MI |
| 41 | William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL |
| 42 | Mid Michigan College | Harrison, MI |
| 43 | Oakton Community College | Des Plaines, IL |
| 44 | Ohio University - Chillicothe Campus | Chillicothe, OH |
| 45 | Lakeland Community College | Kirtland, OH |
| 46 | Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville, IL |
| 47 | Rasmussen University - Illinois | Rockford, IL |
| 48 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI |
| 49 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | Cincinnati, OH |
| 50 | Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac, MI |
| 51 | Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland, OH |
More Great Lakes Rankings
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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