2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 389 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Chamberlain University - Illinois to be the most popular school for nursing students in the Great Lakes Region . This large private for-profit school is located in Addison, Illinois, and it awarded 11,893 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $35,654 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $283.After graduating from Chamberlain - Illinois, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $83,241 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ivy Tech Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 31,118 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,090 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Ivy Tech Community College graduates make an average of $35,780 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Ohio University - Athens Campus. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. OHIO Athens is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,599 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from OHIO Athens accumulate an average of $29,201 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 $422.After graduating from OHIO Athens, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,584 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
The programs at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Great Lakes Region . Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 12,161 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,704 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $330 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,016 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 389 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, landed the # 5 spot on the list.
With a ranking of #6, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,012 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,554 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from NWTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,536 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Hondros College of Nursing landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. This small private for-profit school is located in Westerville, Ohio, and it awarded 1,076 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Hondros College of Nursing accumulate an average of $24,184 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 $131.After graduating from Hondros College of Nursing, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,993 during the early years of their career. Around 93% of those degree recipients were women.
Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Marion, Indiana, and it awarded 3,385 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $32,440 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $346.After graduating from IWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,269 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list. IUPUI is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8,172 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $33,365 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $187. Once they receive their degree, IUPUI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,865 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Madison Area Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Madison College is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,280 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,784 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Madison College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,202 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Kent State University at Kent ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Kent, Ohio, the large public school handed out 6,840 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $30,162 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $320.After graduating from Kent State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,945 during the early years of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Chippewa Valley Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 2,576 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,817 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CVTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,325 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Gateway Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,683 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Gateway Technical College accumulate an average of $13,742 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Gateway Technical College graduates make an average of $34,772 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16,872 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Ohio State accumulate an average of $34,977 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $320, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Ohio State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,871 during the early year of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Columbus State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list. Columbus State is located in Columbus, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,820 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,197 in student loans. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Purdue University Northwest did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list. Purdue Northwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Hammond, Indiana. It awarded 1,940 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Purdue Northwest accumulate an average of $26,260 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $155, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Purdue Northwest graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,610 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Appleton, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school handed out 3,648 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from FVTC accumulate an average of $10,430 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from FVTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,943 during the early years of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. WCTC is located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,019 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $15,038 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from WCTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,058 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Loyola University Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 5,944 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Loyola Chicago accumulate an average of $44,880 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $777 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Loyola Chicago graduates make an average of $47,459 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
College of Lake County landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. College of Lake County is a public institution located in Grayslake, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,149 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from College of Lake County accumulate an average of $10,385 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from College of Lake County, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,083 during the early years of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Moraine Park Technical College is a public institution located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,719 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,552 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Moraine Park Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,031 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #22, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Ypsilanti, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,162 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Eastern Michigan accumulate an average of $33,451 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 $201. Once they receive their degree, Eastern Michigan graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,401 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list. SIUE is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 3,491 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,694 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $271 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, SIUE graduates make an average of $45,746 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 8,607 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $46,283 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $305. During the early years of their career, UIC graduates make an average of $53,836 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #25, Oakland University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Oakland is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,706 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $30,142 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $208. During the early years of their career, Oakland graduates make an average of $50,418 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Most Popular Nursing Schools Nationwide >
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI |
| 52 | College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL |
| 53 | Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville, WI |
| 54 | Central Ohio Technical College | Newark, OH |
| 55 | John A Logan College | Carterville, IL |
| 56 | Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa | Wauwatosa, WI |
| 57 | University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH |
| 58 | Cleveland State University | Cleveland, OH |
| 59 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI |
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular nursing schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL |
| 60 | Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN |
| 62 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore, WI |
| 63 | Wayne State University | Detroit, MI |
| 64 | Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL |
| 64 | Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids, WI |
| 66 | Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI |
| 67 | The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Cincinnati, OH |
| 68 | Heartland Community College | Normal, IL |
| 69 | Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH |
| 70 | Herzing University - Kenosha | Kenosha, WI |
| 71 | Parkland College | Champaign, IL |
| 72 | University of Wisconsin - Madison | Madison, WI |
| 73 | Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL |
| 74 | Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville, IL |
| 75 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL |
| 76 | Kellogg Community College | Battle Creek, MI |
| 77 | Baker College | Owosso, MI |
| 77 | Oakton Community College | Des Plaines, 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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