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

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

72 Schools Ranked

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 Doctor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 72 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular doctor's 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:

565 Total Awards
$14,090 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Chamberlain University - Illinois to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a doctor’s degree in the Great Lakes Region . This large private for-profit school is located in Addison, Illinois, and it awarded 565 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Chamberlain - Illinois. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Chamberlain University - Illinois Report

#2

Rush University

Chicago, Illinois
199 Total Awards

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Rush University is a great place for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Rush University is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 199 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

Rush University does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 74% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

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134 Total Awards
$17,277 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Illinois at Chicago is a great place for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 134 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.

UIC 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 2019-2020 about 95% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Report

69 Total Awards
$9,316 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 72 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the # 4 spot on the list. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.

SIUE 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 86% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

69 Total Awards
$14,902 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.

UC 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 82% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#6

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
59 Total Awards
$9,530 Average Tuition & Fees

Purdue University Global came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.

Since the graduate programs at Purdue University Global are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Full Purdue University Global Report

56 Total Awards
$12,425 Average Tuition & Fees

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, the large public school awarded 56 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ohio State does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 76% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Ohio State University - Main Campus

#8

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
55 Total Awards
$12,220 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the large public school handed out 55 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 95% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UWM. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#9

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

Oshkosh, Wisconsin
44 Total Awards
$9,260 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh 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 #9 on the list. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large public school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 44 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.

UW Oshkosh does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 89% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#9

Bradley University

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

Bradley University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Bradley University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 44 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

Bradley does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 95% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#11

Viterbo University

La Crosse, Wisconsin
43 Total Awards

Viterbo University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 43 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Viterbo. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Viterbo University Report

36 Total Awards
$49,398 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Case Western is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 36 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Case Western 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 2019-2020 about 17% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

36 Total Awards
$36,765 Average Tuition & Fees

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science 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 #12 on the list. RFUMS is a private not-for-profit institution located in North Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at RFUMS. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 18% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#14

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
34 Total Awards
$25,230 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the large public school handed out 34 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

One thing to take note of is that U-M does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Report

#15

University of Michigan - Flint

Flint, Michigan
33 Total Awards
$12,681 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Michigan - Flint 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 #15 on the list. UM Flint is located in Flint, Michigan and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.

UM Flint 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 63% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#15

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
33 Total Awards
$18,341 Average Tuition & Fees

DePaul University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. DePaul is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at DePaul. In fact, around 96% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full DePaul University Report

#15

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
33 Total Awards
$18,937 Average Tuition & Fees

Wayne State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Wayne State University is a large public school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 33 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

Wayne State does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Wayne State University Report

#18

Marian University

Indianapolis, Indiana
31 Total Awards

Marian 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 #18 on the list. Marian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 31 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.

Marian does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 61% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Marian University

#19

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
25 Total Awards
$12,175 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Wisconsin - Madison 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 #19 on the list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UW - Madison does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Report

#20

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
23 Total Awards

Grand Valley State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large public school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 23 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at GVSU. In fact, around 73% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Grand Valley State University

#20

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
23 Total Awards

Michigan State University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, the large public school handed out 23 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Michigan State. In fact, around 65% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#22

Loyola University Chicago

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

Loyola University Chicago came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 22 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 95% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Loyola Chicago. 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.

Full Loyola University Chicago Report

#23

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
20 Total Awards
$9,400 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire 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 #23 on the list. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UW - Eau Claire does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 90% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

19 Total Awards
$10,440 Average Tuition & Fees

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global 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 #24 on the list. IWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 19 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at IWU, 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, 90% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global

#25

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
18 Total Awards

Marquette 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 #25 on the list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 18 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

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

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Marquette. In 2019-2020 about 58% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Marquette University Report

View Most Popular 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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