2027 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Nursing Science](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Oakland University the best value for a degree in nursing science in the Great Lakes Region. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,430 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $91,727. That is a strong return on a $29,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $87,290. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for nursing science. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,188. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $95,130. That is a strong return on a $27,188 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #4. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,408 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $89,364 early in their careers. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $30,165 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $103,835. Set against $30,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University placed #6 among the best values for nursing science. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,342 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $91,087. That is a strong return on a $27,342 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $20,455 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $91,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $91,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $28,500. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Illinois State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $23,075. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $90,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
North Park University earned the #11 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $89,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Michigan State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Walsh University earned the #13 position for value in nursing science this year. Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,030. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $28,000. Nursing Science graduates of Walsh University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Marian University Wisconsin came in at #14 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,204. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Marian University Wisconsin generally make around $72,102. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marian University Wisconsin admits about 75% of applicants.
Benedictine University came in at #15 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,648. Students borrow a median of $17,188 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $90,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University placed #16 among the best values for nursing science. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $25,340. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Marquette University earned the #17 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $86,752. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saint Mary Of The Woods College placed #18 among the best values for nursing science. Set in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods, Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,240. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $31,931. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Saint Mary Of The Woods College generally make around $69,460. That is a strong return on a $31,931 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $111,912 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Case Western Reserve University earned the #20 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $26,580. Nursing Science graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $112,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Nursing Science Schools by State
More Nursing Science Rankings
View All Nursing Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
