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

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

104 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.

The Most Popular Nursing Master'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. This report analyzed 104 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular master'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:

3,923 Total Awards
$14,090 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Chamberlain University - Illinois the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Chamberlain - Illinois is located in Addison, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,923 master’s degrees to qualified students.

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

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

Full Chamberlain University - Illinois Report

576 Total Awards
$14,902 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a great place for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 576 students in 2020-2021.

Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 82% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#3

Purdue University Global

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

You’ll be in good company if you attend Purdue University Global. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University Global is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 526 master’s degrees to qualified students.

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

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

Read full report on Purdue University Global

#4

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, Michigan
381 Total Awards
$8,383 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Spring Arbor University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 381 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Spring Arbor does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Spring Arbor University Report

312 Total Awards
$10,440 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 104 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Marion, Indiana, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 312 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

IWU 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 90% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Report

#6

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
250 Total Awards

Marquette University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree nursing programs. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 250 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

Marquette does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Marquette University

246 Total Awards
$12,425 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 246 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Ohio State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Ohio State University - Main Campus

#8

DePaul University

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

DePaul University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 200 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.

DePaul 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 96% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on DePaul University

#9

Herzing University - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
197 Total Awards
$11,680 Average Tuition & Fees

Herzing University - Madison landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree nursing programs. Herzing University - Madison is a small private not-for-profit school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 197 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Herzing University - Madison is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read More…

#10

Rush University

Chicago, Illinois
175 Total Awards

Rush University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree nursing programs. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 175 students in 2020-2021.

Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Rush University. In fact, around 74% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Rush University

172 Total Awards

Kent State University at Kent ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Kent, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 172 students in 2020-2021.

Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Kent State does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 57% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Kent State University at Kent

#12

Benedictine University

Lisle, Illinois
138 Total Awards
$19,640 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Benedictine University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Located in Lisle, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 138 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 93% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Benedictine U. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Benedictine University

133 Total Awards
$10,389 Average Tuition & Fees

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 133 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at IUPUI. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

122 Total Awards
$49,398 Average Tuition & Fees

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 122 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 82% 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. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 17% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Case Western Reserve University Report

#15

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

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

With a ranking of #15, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. This large public school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 116 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

U-M 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, 74% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Report

#16

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
106 Total Awards
$16,600 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Toledo ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Toledo, Ohio, the fairly large public school handed out 106 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at University of Toledo. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 29% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#17

Lewis University

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

Lewis University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Romeoville, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 104 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 96% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Lewis. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#18

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
101 Total Awards
$17,277 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 101 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UIC. In fact, around 95% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Illinois at Chicago

#19

Bradley University

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

Bradley University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree nursing programs. Bradley University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 94 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Bradley does offer online graduate classes in some areas. 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.

Read More…

#20

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana
89 Total Awards
$10,384 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Southern Indiana ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Evansville, Indiana, the medium-sized public school awarded 89 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at USI. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

88 Total Awards
$9,720 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. OHIO Athens is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 88 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

OHIO Athens does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 70% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Report

#22

Xavier University

Cincinnati, Ohio
86 Total Awards
$12,076 Average Tuition & Fees

Xavier University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 86 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

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

One thing to take note of is that Xavier does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 46% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#23

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
85 Total Awards

With a ranking of #23, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 85 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Olivet Nazarene does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Report

#24

Wayne State University

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

Wayne State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Wayne State is located in Detroit, Michigan and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Wayne State. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Wayne State University Report

#25

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana
68 Total Awards
$8,056 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #25, Indiana State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Terre Haute, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

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

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Indiana State. In 2019-2020 about 71% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Indiana State University Report

View Most Popular Nursing Master’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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