2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Great Lakes Region
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2019-2020, 313,362 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 9,890 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 82 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality nursing programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree nursing students.
Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s 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 private not-for-profit institution located in Westerville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 62 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Otterbein also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Otterbein are $6,767, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University Global. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 526 diplomas to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.
Purdue University Global not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Nursing Master’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 Purdue University Global are $10,674.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cedarville University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Cedarville, Ohio, and it awarded 40 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Cedarville are $9,065, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Chamberlain University - Illinois. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. Chamberlain - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Addison, Illinois. It awarded 3,640 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chamberlain - Illinois, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chamberlain - Illinois are $14,090, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Illinois State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 29 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Bradley University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Bradley is a medium-sized school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 105 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree nursing students list, Bradley has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Nursing Master’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 Bradley are $17,040.
With a ranking of #7, Xavier University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Xavier is a medium-sized school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 51 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Xavier did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Xavier University are $12,076, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 11 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Nursing Report
Alverno College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 48 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Alverno are $10,521, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Marian University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 36 students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Marian are $11,070, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Marquette University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Marquette University is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 220 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
Marquette not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette are $21,690, but some majors have different tuition rates.
With a ranking of #12, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Marion, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 334 diplomas to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.
IWU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’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 Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global are $11,977.
Read more about Nursing at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
University of St Francis ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. University of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 75 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Saint Francis are $13,839, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Lewis University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Lewis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Romeoville, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 102 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Lewis also took the #18 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’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.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Olivet Nazarene is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 96 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Olivet Nazarene are $13,393, but some majors have different tuition rates.
North Park University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. North Park University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 52 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at North Park University are $14,076, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Spring Arbor University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 211 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Spring Arbor are $8,232, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Herzing University - Madison ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Herzing University - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 170 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Herzing University - Madison are $11,680, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing is a small school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 41 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing are $8,730, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Nursing at Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing
Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in Hammond, Indiana, and it awarded 38 masters’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 Purdue University Northwest are $11,633.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 79 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.
Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 33 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne are $11,448.
Read full report on Nursing at University of St. Francis Fort Wayne
With a ranking of #23, Ferris State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Big Rapids, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Ferris State University are $7,908, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Franciscan University of Steubenville ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Steubenville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Franciscan U are $12,888.
Read full report on Nursing at Franciscan University of Steubenville
Mount Carmel College of Nursing ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Mount Carmel College of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 57 masters’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 Mount Carmel College of Nursing are $19,290.
Read full report on Nursing at Mount Carmel College of Nursing
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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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.
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