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2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

57 Ranked Colleges
1,699 Degrees Awarded
$14,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” 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 2019-2020, 313,362 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 55,907 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $64,221 and $26,091 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,699 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 57 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent nursing programs, but they also 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree nursing students.

Top 28 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Otterbein University

Westerville, Ohio
#15 in overall quality

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Otterbein University landed the #1 spot on the list. Otterbein is a small school located in Westerville, Ohio that handed out 3 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Otterbein also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Otterbein University are $6,767, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Otterbein Nursing Report

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #2 spot on the list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 67 students in 2019-2020.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300.

Read full report on Nursing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Chamberlain University - Illinois. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region. Chamberlain University - Illinois is a large school located in Addison, Illinois that handed out 365 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chamberlain - Illinois, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chamberlain University - Illinois are $14,090, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Chamberlain University - Illinois

#4

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University Global. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Global are $10,674, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Purdue University Global Nursing Report

#5

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bradley University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region. Bradley is a medium-sized school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 53 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley also took the #6 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bradley University are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Bradley

#6

Viterbo University

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Viterbo University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Viterbo University is a small school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin that handed out 19 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Viterbo University are $9,312.

Read full report on Nursing at Viterbo University

#7

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069.

Read more about Nursing at Illinois State

#8

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

Valparaiso University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Valpo is a private not-for-profit institution located in Valparaiso, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Valpo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Valparaiso University are $12,220, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Valparaiso University

#9

Alverno College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Alverno College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Alverno is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Alverno are $10,521.

Read full report on Nursing at Alverno College

#10

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

With a ranking of #10, Ferris State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Ferris is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ferris State University are $7,908, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Ferris

#11

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Lewis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #11. This medium-sized school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lewis, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis University are $14,780.

Read full report on Nursing at Lewis

#12

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree nursing students list, Marquette has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette are $21,690, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Marquette University Nursing Report

#13

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, Indiana

With a ranking of #13, Purdue University Northwest did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University Northwest is a public institution located in Hammond, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue Northwest are $11,633.

Read more about Nursing at Purdue University Northwest

#14

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Loyola Chicago

#15

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Grand Valley State University is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 26 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Valley State University are $17,448.

Read more about Nursing at Grand Valley State University

#16

Oak Point University

Chicago, Illinois

Oak Point University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #16. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Oak Point University are $14,455, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Oak Point University

#17

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. McKendree University is a small school located in Lebanon, Illinois that handed out 7 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at McKendree are $9,324, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at McKendree University

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. IWU is a fairly large school located in Marion, Indiana that handed out 15 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global are $11,977, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full IWU Nursing Report

#4 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Nursing at UW - Madison

#20

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

UW - Eau Claire also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Eau Claire are $19,430, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

#21

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

University of Detroit Mercy landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Detroit Mercy is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Detroit Mercy, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Detroit Mercy are $20,047, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Detroit Mercy Nursing Report

#21

Walsh University

North Canton, Ohio

Walsh University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #21. Walsh is located in North Canton, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Walsh are $13,510, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Walsh University

#22

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. University of St Francis is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 2 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Saint Francis are $13,839, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of St Francis Nursing Report

#22

Saint Anthony College of Nursing

Rockford, Illinois

Saint Anthony College of Nursing did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. SACN is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rockford, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Anthony College of Nursing are $18,857, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at SACN

#23

Ashland University

Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Ashland, Ohio, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ashland University are $6,444, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ashland University Nursing Report

#24

Concordia University, Wisconsin

Mequon, Wisconsin

Concordia University, Wisconsin landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Concordia University, Wisconsin is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Mequon, Wisconsin. It awarded 5 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Wisconsin are $11,460, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Concordia University, Wisconsin

Mount Carmel College of Nursing ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Mount Carmel College of Nursing is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Carmel College of Nursing are $19,290, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Mount Carmel College of Nursing Nursing Report

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 34 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW Oshkosh are $18,744.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

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Notes and References

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%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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