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2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

280 Ranked Colleges
57,106 Degrees Awarded
$11,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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” ranking analyzed 280 colleges that offered a degree 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

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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 Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to 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

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

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

1

Out of the 280 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #1 spot on the list. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school situated in Rockford, Illinois. It awarded 450 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Rasmussen University - Illinois also made our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $18,908 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students per year to attend Rasmussen University - Illinois.

Read more about Nursing at Rasmussen University - Illinois

2
Gateway Technical College crest
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, Wisconsin

Out of the 280 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Gateway Technical College landed the #2 spot on the list. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 114 students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Gateway Technical College also did well 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 Gateway Technical College is $8,487 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Gateway Technical College Nursing Report

3
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
Indianapolis, Indiana
Top 20% in overall quality
$43,154 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 280 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University Global landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 1,207 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue University Global also claimed a top spot on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

Full Purdue University Global Nursing Report

4

Out of the 280 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 526 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

SIUE excels when it comes to nursing quality. 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 $14,462 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

5

Out of the 280 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Chamberlain University - Illinois landed the #5 spot on the list. Chamberlain University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Addison, Illinois. It awarded 12,645 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region nursing students list, Chamberlain - Illinois has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chamberlain University - Illinois is $28,605 for great lakes region nursing students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Chamberlain University - Illinois

6

Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 168 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,115 for great lakes region nursing students per year to attend CVTC.

Full Chippewa Valley Technical College Nursing Report

7

Northcentral Technical College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Wausau, Wisconsin, and it awarded 92 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,490 for great lakes region nursing students per year to attend North Central Technical College.

Read more about Nursing at Northcentral Technical College

8
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ivy Tech Community College is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 1,366 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ivy Tech Community College is $7,669 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Ivy Tech Community College

9

Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 327 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cuyahoga Community College District is $4,909 for great lakes region nursing students.

Full Cuyahoga Community College District Nursing Report

10
Western Technical College crest
Western Technical College
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Western Technical College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Western Technical College is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 75 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,279 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students per year to attend Western Technical College.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Nursing at Western Technical College

11

With a ranking of #11, Madison Area Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 181 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Madison College is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $10,053 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students per year to attend Madison Area Technical College.

Full Madison Area Technical College Nursing Report

12

With a ranking of #12, Herzing University - Madison did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Herzing University - Madison is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 388 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Herzing University - Madison is in the top on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Herzing University - Madison is $23,684 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

Read full report on Nursing at Herzing University - Madison

13

Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #13. Purdue University Northwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Hammond, Indiana. It awarded 633 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Purdue Northwest is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University Northwest is $11,384 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Purdue Northwest

14

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 816 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, IWU 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 yearly cost to attend IWU is $18,904 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global

15

With a ranking of #15, Elgin Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. 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.

It costs about $3,828 for great lakes region nursing students per year to attend Elgin Community College.

Read full report on Nursing at ECC

16

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #16. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is a medium-sized school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 59 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cincinnati State is $5,532 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

Read full report on Nursing at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

17

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #17. NWTC is a fairly large public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 195 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is $10,962 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

18
Schoolcraft College crest
Schoolcraft College
Livonia, Michigan

Schoolcraft College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #18. Schoolcraft College is a public institution located in Livonia, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 167 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Schoolcraft College is $6,872 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

Full Schoolcraft College Nursing Report

19
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Oakton Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Oakton Community College is located in Des Plaines, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakton Community College is $6,423 for great lakes region nursing students.

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%.

Full Oakton Community College Nursing Report

20

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Akron, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 297 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, University of Akron Main Campus also did well 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. It costs about $17,945 for great lakes region nursing students per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Nursing Report

21

Clark State Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Clark State Community College is a medium-sized school located in Springfield, Ohio that handed out 152 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Clark State Community College is $6,959 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Clark State Community College Nursing Report

22

With a ranking of #22, Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. MATC is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 126 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for MATC is $8,721 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Milwaukee Area Technical College

23

With a ranking of #23, Herzing University - Kenosha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 191 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Herzing University - Kenosha excels when it comes to nursing quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Herzing University - Kenosha is $19,922 for great lakes region nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Herzing University - Kenosha

24
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan

Delta College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Delta College is a medium-sized public school situated in University Center, Michigan. It awarded 141 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Delta College is $4,268 for great lakes region nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Delta College

25

Sinclair Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #25. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 142 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $4,959 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Sinclair Community College

Rest of the Best 43 in Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Not only did these schools make the top 43 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
BTC crest
Blackhawk Technical College
Janesville, Wisconsin
27
28
FVTC crest
Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, Wisconsin
29
30
31
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan
32
LCC crest
Lansing Community College
Lansing, Michigan
33
34
35
35
37
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
38
Owens State Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, Ohio
39
40
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois
41
41
Moraine Park Technical College crest
Moraine Park Technical College
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
43

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