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2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

270 Ranked Colleges
57,106 Degrees Awarded
$4,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Nursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 322,592 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $70,916 and had an average of $25,426 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 57,106 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $67,647 and $27,241 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 270 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great nursing 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 program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 291 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

U-M also took the #2 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $2,670 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 257 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 full report on Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Madison

3
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school handed out 227 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Purdue also took the #7 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,995 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 93%.

Read full report on Nursing at Purdue University - Main Campus

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 738 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $7,026 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at IUPUI

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 669 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $7,068 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 at Ohio State

6

Elgin Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Elgin Community College is $2,273 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at ECC

7
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Oakland Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 120 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,464 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oakland Community College.

Read full report on Nursing at Oakland Community College

8
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 227 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $6,927 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Michigan State University Nursing Report

8
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #8, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 509 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakland also took the #19 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,949 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oakland.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakland Nursing Report

10

Moraine Valley Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Palos Hills, Illinois, and it awarded 75 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Moraine Valley Community College is $-210 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.

Read full report on Nursing at MVCC

11
Washtenaw Community College crest
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Washtenaw Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Washtenaw Community College is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 121 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Washtenaw Community College is $1,892 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Nursing at Washtenaw Community College

12
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Waubonsee is a medium-sized public school situated in Sugar Grove, Illinois. It awarded 113 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee Community College is $2,249 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Nursing at Waubonsee

13

With a ranking of #13, Cuyahoga Community College District did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 327 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cuyahoga Community College District is $3,141 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Cuyahoga Community College District Nursing Report

14
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dearborn, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 201 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,310 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Henry Ford College.

Full Henry Ford College Nursing Report

15
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Plaines, Illinois. It awarded 55 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $5,638 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 more about Nursing at Oakton Community College

16

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 141 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Malcolm X College is $2,968 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College

17
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

With a ranking of #17, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 1,366 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,213 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ivy Tech Community College.

Read full report on Nursing at Ivy Tech Community College

18

Purdue University Northwest ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Hammond, Indiana, this medium-sized public school awarded 633 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Purdue Northwest is in the top on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue Northwest is $6,775 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Purdue University Northwest Nursing Report

19
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan

Delta College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in University Center, Michigan, and it awarded 141 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Delta College is $2,178 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Delta College Nursing Report

20

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cincinnati State is a medium-sized school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 59 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is $3,610 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Nursing Report

21

With a ranking of #21, Sinclair Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sinclair Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 142 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Sinclair Community College is $3,594 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Sinclair Community College Nursing Report

22

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 526 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, SIUE is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,047 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Nursing Report

23

Madison Area Technical College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 181 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Madison College also claimed a top spot on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Madison College is $7,567 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Madison Area Technical College

24
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

College of Lake County did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 66 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,802 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend College of Lake County.

Full College of Lake County Nursing Report

25

University of Southern Indiana came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Southern Indiana is a public institution located in Evansville, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 332 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, USI is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern Indiana is $7,815 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 at USI

Rest of the Best 41 in Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 41 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
LCC crest
Lansing Community College
Lansing, Michigan
28
29
30
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, Illinois
31
32
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, Illinois
33
34
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
35
36
Gateway Technical College crest
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, Wisconsin
37
38
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois
39
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois
40
41
IU East crest
Indiana University - East
Richmond, Indiana

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