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Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

152 Schools Ranked
$7,965 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$20,119 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. 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 152 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana
1,366 Total Awards
$4,637 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,984 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Ivy Tech Community College the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for nursing students working on their associate degree. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,366 associate degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $4,637 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Ivy Tech Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,927. On average, associate degree students take out $15,984 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Ivy Tech Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Ivy Tech Community College Report

#2

Rasmussen University - Illinois

Rockford, Illinois
450 Total Awards
$13,883 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,566 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - Illinois. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 450 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Illinois is $13,883. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $27,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.

Rasmussen University - Illinois does have options available for those who want to take online 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, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Rasmussen University - Illinois Report

327 Total Awards
$16,998 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cuyahoga Community College District. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 327 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Associate Degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District accumulate an average of $16,998 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Cuyahoga Community College District does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#4

Hondros College of Nursing

Westerville, Ohio
309 Total Awards
$20,268 Average Tuition & Fees
$40,873 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 152 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Hondros College of Nursing landed the # 4 spot on the list. Westerville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 309 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Hondros College of Nursing is $20,268. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $40,873 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Hondros College of Nursing. In 2019-2020 about 19% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Hondros College of Nursing

222 Total Awards
$35,636 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at Galen College of Nursing - Cincinnati helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region . This very small private for-profit school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 222 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Associate Degree recipients from Galen College of Nursing - Cincinnati accumulate an average of $35,636 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Galen College of Nursing - Cincinnati. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Galen College of Nursing - Cincinnati Report

#6

Owens Community College

Perrysburg, Ohio
214 Total Awards
$5,510 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,371 Avg Student Debt

Owens Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Owens State Community College is a public institution located in Perrysburg, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 214 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $5,510 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Owens State Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,782. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,371 in student loans. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Owens State Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#7

Henry Ford College

Dearborn, Michigan
201 Total Awards
$5,200 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,961 Avg Student Debt

Henry Ford College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Henry Ford College is a fairly large public school located in Dearborn, Michigan that handed out 201 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Michigan pay an average of $5,200 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Henry Ford College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,192. Associate Degree recipients from Henry Ford College accumulate an average of $24,961 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Henry Ford College. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Henry Ford College

#8

Lansing Community College

Lansing, Michigan
198 Total Awards
$7,340 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,441 Avg Student Debt

Lansing Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. LCC is a public institution located in Lansing, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 198 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LCC is $7,340. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,760. On average, associate degree students take out $19,441 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.

LCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Lansing Community College Report

195 Total Awards
$4,734 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,312 Avg Student Debt

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. NWTC is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 195 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NWTC is $4,734. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,849. Associate Degree recipients from NWTC accumulate an average of $19,312 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 93% of those degree recipients were women.

NWTC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

189 Total Awards
$18,294 Avg Student Debt

Central Ohio Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Located in Newark, Ohio, the small public school handed out 189 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,294 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.

COTC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Central Ohio Technical College

#11

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin
181 Total Awards
$4,600 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,947 Avg Student Debt

Madison Area Technical College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. This fairly large public school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 181 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Madison College is $4,600. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,769. On average, associate degree students take out $21,947 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Madison College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#12

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
168 Total Awards
$4,568 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,208 Avg Student Debt

Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree 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 168 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Wisconsin who attend CVTC full time pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,683. On average, associate degree students take out $20,208 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CVTC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Chippewa Valley Technical College Report

#13

Schoolcraft College

Livonia, Michigan
167 Total Awards
$5,494 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,698 Avg Student Debt

Schoolcraft College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Schoolcraft College is located in Livonia, Michigan and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 167 associate degrees to qualified students.

Students from Michigan who attend Schoolcraft College full time pay an average of $5,494 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,574. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,698 in student loans. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Schoolcraft College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Schoolcraft College

#14

Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
157 Total Awards
$19,520 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,621 Avg Student Debt

Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. This small private for-profit school is located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and it awarded 157 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $19,520 to cover tuition and fees at Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,621 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.

Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 46% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa

156 Total Awards
$19,919 Avg Student Debt

Columbus State Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Columbus State Community College is a large public school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 156 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, associate degree students take out $19,919 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.

Online courses are available at Columbus State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#16

Clark State Community College

Springfield, Ohio
152 Total Awards
$4,032 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,058 Avg Student Debt

Clark State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Clark State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Springfield, Ohio that handed out 152 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $4,032 in tuition and fees if they attend Clark State Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,328. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,058 in student loans. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Clark State Community College. In 2019-2020 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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146 Total Awards
$4,465 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,649 Avg Student Debt

Lorain County Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Elyria, Ohio, and it awarded 146 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Ohio who attend LCCC full time pay an average of $4,465 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,405. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,649 in student loans. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since LCCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Lorain County Community College

141 Total Awards
$16,772 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Malcolm X College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 141 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,772 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

Online courses are available at Malcolm X College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College

#18

Delta College

University Center, Michigan
141 Total Awards
$6,860 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,057 Avg Student Debt

Delta College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University Center, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 141 students in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $6,860 in tuition and fees if they attend Delta College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,100. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,057 in student loans. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

Delta College does have options available for those who want to take online 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, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Delta College

#20

Sinclair Community College

Dayton, Ohio
136 Total Awards
$4,329 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,728 Avg Student Debt

Sinclair Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 136 students in 2020-2021.

Students from Ohio who attend Sinclair Community College full time pay an average of $4,329 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,076. Associate Degree recipients from Sinclair Community College accumulate an average of $16,728 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Sinclair Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#21

Mercy College of Ohio

Toledo, Ohio
133 Total Awards
$18,850 Average Tuition & Fees
$31,422 Avg Student Debt

Mercy College of Ohio did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Mercy College is located in Toledo, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 133 associate degrees to qualified students.

If you want to attend Mercy College, expect to pay an average of $18,850 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Mercy College accumulate an average of $31,422 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Mercy College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#22

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
126 Total Awards
$4,793 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,921 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school handed out 126 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $4,793 in tuition and fees if they attend MATC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,908. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,921 in student loans. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

MATC does have options available for those who want to take online 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, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Milwaukee Area Technical College Report

#23

Washtenaw Community College

Ann Arbor, Michigan
121 Total Awards
$4,248 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,975 Avg Student Debt

Washtenaw Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Washtenaw Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 121 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Michigan pay an average of $4,248 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Washtenaw Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,856. Associate Degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College accumulate an average of $20,975 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

Washtenaw Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Washtenaw Community College Report

#23

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
121 Total Awards
$9,870 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,799 Avg Student Debt

William Rainey Harper College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Palatine, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 121 students in 2020-2021.

Students from Illinois who attend Harper College full time pay an average of $9,870 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,682. Associate Degree recipients from Harper College accumulate an average of $15,799 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Harper College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.

Full William Rainey Harper College Report

#23

Macomb Community College

Warren, Michigan
121 Total Awards
$6,090 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,249 Avg Student Debt

Macomb Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Macomb Community College is a fairly large public school located in Warren, Michigan that handed out 121 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Michigan who attend Macomb Community College full time pay an average of $6,090 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,680. On average, associate degree students take out $11,249 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Macomb Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Macomb Community College

View Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our most popular nursing schools ranking:

Rank School Location
26 Oakland Community College Bloomfield Hills, MI
27 University of Rio Grande Rio Grande, OH
28 Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI
28 Lakeland Community College Kirtland, OH
30 Rasmussen University - Wisconsin Green Bay, WI
30 Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove, IL

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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