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Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

28 Schools Ranked
$107,186 Avg Student Debt

There are so many nursing programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor's Degree 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 28 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which online doctor's degree programs were the most popular for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

563 Total Awards
$14,250 Average Tuition & Fees
$48,867 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Chamberlain University - Illinois the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Addison, Illinois, the large private for-profit school handed out 563 doctor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $48,867 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.

Chamberlain - Illinois is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

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#2

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The excellent doctor’s degree programs at helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region .

#3

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
77 Total Awards
$18,120 Average Tuition & Fees
$63,614 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bradley University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree 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 doctor’s degrees to 77 students in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $63,614 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 83% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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153 Total Awards
$13,264 Average Tuition & Fees
$79,168 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Michigan - Flint is a great place for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 153 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from UM Flint accumulate an average of $79,168 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 90% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of Michigan - Flint

#5

Lourdes University

Sylvania, Ohio
10 Total Awards
$16,389 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Lourdes University is a great place for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Sylvania, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Lourdes University

#6

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana
114 Total Awards
$8,164 Average Tuition & Fees
$42,097 Avg Student Debt

Indiana State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, and it awarded 114 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $42,097 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 67% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#7

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois
8 Total Awards

McKendree University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Lebanon, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

Around 72% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on McKendree University

#8

Saint Mary's College

Notre Dame, Indiana
11 Total Awards

With a ranking of #8, Saint Mary’s College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 11 doctor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Saint Mary’s College

#9

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
36 Total Awards
$14,325 Average Tuition & Fees
$59,550 Avg Student Debt

University of St Francis ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of St Francis is a small private not-for-profit school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 36 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $59,550 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of St Francis

#9

Lewis University

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

Lewis University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 11 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Lewis University

#11

Otterbein University

Westerville, Ohio
23 Total Awards
$14,398 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Otterbein University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Otterbein is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Westerville, Ohio. It awarded 23 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.

Around 37% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Otterbein University

4 Total Awards
$9,076 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 4 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Full Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing Report

#13

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana
13 Total Awards
$10,607 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Southern Indiana landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. USI is a public institution located in Evansville, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 96% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

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#13

Oak Point University

Oak Brook, Illinois
2 Total Awards

Oak Point University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Oak Brook, Illinois is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 2 students in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

In 2020-2021 about 49% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#13

University of Indianapolis

Indianapolis, Indiana
164 Total Awards
$41,476 Average Tuition & Fees
$121,431 Avg Student Debt

University of Indianapolis landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. UIndy is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 164 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $121,431 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.

Around 46% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#16

Rush University

Chicago, Illinois
459 Total Awards
$134,106 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Rush University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Rush University is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 459 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $134,106 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#17

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois
$14,184 Average Tuition & Fees

North Park University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 45% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on North Park University

#17

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, Michigan
99 Total Awards
$27,610 Average Tuition & Fees
$97,097 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Andrews University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Andrews is a private not-for-profit institution located in Berrien Springs, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 99 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from Andrews accumulate an average of $97,097 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 37% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Andrews University Report

#17

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan
197 Total Awards
$94,120 Avg Student Debt

Ferris State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Big Rapids, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 197 students in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $94,120 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 31% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Ferris State University Report

#20

Edgewood College

Madison, Wisconsin
36 Total Awards
$57,503 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, Edgewood College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Edgewood is located in Madison, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 36 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $57,503 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Edgewood College Report

#20

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan
11 Total Awards
$11,028 Average Tuition & Fees
$39,839 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, Northern Michigan University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Northern Michigan University is a medium-sized public school situated in Marquette, Michigan. It awarded 11 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $39,839 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Northern Michigan University Report

#20

Walsh University

North Canton, Ohio
34 Total Awards
$13,510 Average Tuition & Fees
$87,584 Avg Student Debt

Walsh University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Walsh is a private not-for-profit institution located in North Canton, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 34 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $87,584 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Walsh University Report

#23

Rasmussen University - Wisconsin

Green Bay, Wisconsin
$4,726 Average Tuition & Fees

Rasmussen University - Wisconsin ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

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

Full Rasmussen University - Wisconsin Report

12 Total Awards
$25,700 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #23, Mount Carmel College of Nursing did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 12 students in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 93% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Mount Carmel College of Nursing Report

#23

Concordia University, Wisconsin

Mequon, Wisconsin
140 Total Awards
$12,174 Average Tuition & Fees
$137,540 Avg Student Debt

Concordia University, Wisconsin landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Concordia University, Wisconsin is located in Mequon, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 140 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $137,540 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Concordia University, Wisconsin Report

View Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree 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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