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2023 Best Value Colleges for Nursing Practice in the Great Lakes Region

46 Ranked Colleges
1,712 Degrees Awarded
$21,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Nursing Practice is the 105th most popular major in the country with 7,992 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,712 nursing practice graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 46 colleges that offered a degree in nursing practice. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great nursing practice programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the nursing practice program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region nursing practice students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Nursing Practice in the Great Lakes Region

1

Out of the 46 schools in the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Chamberlain University - Illinois landed the #1 spot on the list. Chamberlain - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Addison, Illinois. It awarded 565 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

Chamberlain - Illinois also took the #2 spot in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chamberlain - Illinois is $28,605 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Chamberlain - Illinois Nursing Practice Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 75 ’s nursing practice degrees to qualified students.

SIUE also took the #11 spot in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $14,462 for great lakes region nursing practice students.

Full SIUE Nursing Practice Report

3
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Viterbo University
La Crosse, Wisconsin

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Viterbo University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 15 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Viterbo, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Viterbo is $20,201 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Viterbo Nursing Practice Report

4
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Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Out of the 46 schools in the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Bradley University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Peoria, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 44 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing practice students in 2020-2021.

Bradley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $25,196 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students per year to attend Bradley.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Nursing Practice at Bradley University

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified ’s nursing practice students in 2020-2021.

Illinois State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,830 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students per year to attend Illinois State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing Practice at Illinois State

6
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Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio

With a ranking of #6, Otterbein University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Westerville, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing practice students in 2020-2021.

Otterbein did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Otterbein University is $22,881 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing Practice at Otterbein

7
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Alverno College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Alverno College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #7. Alverno College is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s nursing practice degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Alverno College is $19,437 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at Alverno College

8
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University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Saint Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 6 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $17,102 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students per year to attend University of St Francis.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at University of Saint Francis

9
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Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

Valparaiso University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Valparaiso, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s nursing practice degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

Valpo also made our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $22,899 for great lakes region nursing practice students per year to attend Valparaiso University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at Valpo

10
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Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s nursing practice degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

Marquette did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Marquette is $30,380 for great lakes region nursing practice students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Marquette University Nursing Practice Report

11

With a ranking of #11, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Marion, Indiana, and it awarded 19 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is $18,904 for great lakes region nursing practice students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at IWU

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s nursing practice degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Akron Main Campus is $17,945 for great lakes region nursing practice students.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at University of Akron Main Campus

13
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Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 6 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

Lewis also took the #24 spot in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,074 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students per year to attend Lewis University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at Lewis University

14
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Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 15 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Chicago is $36,434 for great lakes region nursing practice students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola Chicago Nursing Practice Report

15
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Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ferris State University is a fairly large school located in Big Rapids, Michigan that handed out 2 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ferris State University is $12,213 for great lakes region nursing practice students.

Full Ferris State University Nursing Practice Report

16
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North Park University
Chicago, Illinois

North Park University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. North Park is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for North Park University is $18,282 for great lakes region nursing practice students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at North Park University

17

With a ranking of #17, Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing is located in Peoria, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s nursing practice degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Nursing Practice at Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

18

University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and it awarded 10 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of St. Francis Fort Wayne is $18,389 for great lakes region nursing practice students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing Practice at University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne

19

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 20 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region nursing practice students list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,051 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at UW - Eau Claire

20

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing practice students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region nursing practice students list, UW - Madison has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $17,234 for great lakes region nursing practice students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Nursing Practice at University of Wisconsin - Madison

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a public institution located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW Oshkosh is $14,687 for great lakes region nursing practice students.

Read more about Nursing Practice at UW Oshkosh

22

Mount St. Joseph University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Mount St. Joe is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Mount St. Joe is $18,475 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing Practice at Mount St. Joseph University

23

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. OHIO Athens is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region nursing practice students list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus is $23,831 for great lakes region nursing practice students.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at OHIO Athens

24

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 21 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

UC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC is $22,415 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at UC

25
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DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. DePaul is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 33 ’s nursing practice degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region nursing practice students list, DePaul has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $31,174 for Great Lakes Region Nursing Practice students per year to attend DePaul University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing Practice at DePaul University

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