2023 Best Value Nursing Master's Degree 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.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Value Nursing Master's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 77 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best value master's degree 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 Master's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Spring Arbor University the best value school in the Great Lakes Region for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 381 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
Spring Arbor graduate students pay an average of $8,383 in tuition and fees each year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Spring Arbor. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Out of the 77 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Ferris State University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Ferris is a fairly large public school situated in Big Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 19 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Ferris are $8,232 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ferris does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 67% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cedarville University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Cedarville is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cedarville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 44 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Cedarville are $9,864 a year.
Cedarville 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. In fact, around 52% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Cedarville also is in the top 20% of our Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bethel University - Mishawaka. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Mishawaka, Indiana, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Bethel University are $7,880 per year.
One thing to take note of is that Bethel University does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at SIUE are $9,316 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at SIUE. In fact, around 86% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Youngstown State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 32 master’s degrees 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 offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 60% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.
Herzing University - Madison came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Herzing University - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 197 master’s degrees to qualified students.
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 excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Illinois State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Illinois State University is a large public school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 30 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Illinois State graduate students pay an average of $11,773 in tuition and fees each year.
Illinois State does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 81% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Illinois State also is in the top 15% of our Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Alverno College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Alverno is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 55 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Alverno are $10,402 a year.
One thing to take note of is that Alverno does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 16% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
McKendree University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree nursing programs. Lebanon, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.
McKendree graduate students pay an average of $9,756 in tuition and fees each year.
One thing to take note of is that McKendree does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 68% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #11, Marian University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Marian is located in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 master’s degrees to qualified students.
Marian graduate students pay an average of $11,286 in tuition and fees each year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Marian does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Otterbein University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree nursing programs. Located in Westerville, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 55 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Otterbein are $14,392 a year.
Otterbein 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, 55% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Otterbein also took the #4 spot in our Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region rankings.
With a ranking of #13, University of St Francis did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at University of Saint Francis are $13,839 per year.
Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at University of Saint Francis. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
University of Saint Francis did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Hammond, Indiana, and it awarded 50 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Purdue Northwest are $11,356 per year.
Some students may be able 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.
Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. IWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 312 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
IWU graduate students pay an average of $10,440 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at IWU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 90% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.
Northern Illinois University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 27 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at NIU are $11,390 a year.
NIU 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 43% took at least some of their classes online.
Concordia University, Wisconsin came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Concordia University, Wisconsin is located in Mequon, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 master’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Concordia University, Wisconsin are $11,760 per year.
One thing to take note of is that Concordia University, Wisconsin does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 67% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #18, Xavier University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Xavier is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 86 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Xavier are $12,076 per year.
Xavier does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 46% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Olivet Nazarene is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 85 master’s degrees 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.
University of Akron Main Campus landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree nursing programs. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 62 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Akron Main Campus graduate students pay an average of $11,936 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at University of Akron Main Campus. In 2019-2020 about 80% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #21, University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. University of St. Francis Fort Wayne is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 34 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
University of St. Francis Fort Wayne graduate students pay an average of $12,418 in tuition and fees each year.
Online graduate courses are available at University of St. Francis Fort Wayne, 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, 70% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Read full report on University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne
Franciscan University of Steubenville landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree nursing programs. Franciscan University of Steubenville is a small private not-for-profit school located in Steubenville, Ohio that handed out 22 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Franciscan U are $12,888 per year.
One thing to take note of is that Franciscan U does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #23, Lewis University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Lewis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Romeoville, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 104 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Lewis are $14,960 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Lewis. During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.
Lewis also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #24, Walsh University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. This small private not-for-profit school is located in North Canton, Ohio, and it awarded 48 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Walsh are $13,510 a year.
Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Walsh. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #25, Malone University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Malone is a private not-for-profit institution located in Canton, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Malone are $11,900 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Malone. In fact, around 88% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
View Best Value Master’s Degree Nursing Master’s Degree Schools Nationwide >
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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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