by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their nursing graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the early-career earnings of their nursing graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send nursing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Ambria College Of Nursing the top school for nursing graduate earnings in the Great Lakes Region. Ambria College Of Nursing is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoffman Estates. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $98,515.
Governors State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Governors State University earn a median of about $107,166 a year early in their careers.
Joliet Junior College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of about $88,061 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a private for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earn a median of about $92,768 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio earned it the #5 place for nursing. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio is a private for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Nursing graduates of Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio earn a median of about $92,768 a year early in their careers.
Chamberlain University Indiana landed the #6 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Chamberlain University Indiana is a private for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Chamberlain University Indiana earn a median of about $92,768 a year early in their careers.
Chamberlain University Michigan landed the #7 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Troy, Chamberlain University Michigan is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Chamberlain University Michigan make a median of around $92,768 per year.
Mott Community College came in at #8 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Mott Community College typically earn about $84,016 annually.
Kishwaukee College landed the #9 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Kishwaukee College make a median of around $76,831 per year.
Mchenry County College landed the #10 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Mchenry County College typically earn about $75,836 annually.
Moraine Valley Community College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of about $78,243 a year early in their careers.
Jackson Community College landed the #12 spot for nursing salaries this year. Jackson Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Jackson. Nursing graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of about $73,339 a year early in their careers.
Schoolcraft College landed the #13 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of about $74,889 a year early in their careers.
Rock Valley College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of about $84,227 a year early in their careers.
College Of Lake County earned the #15 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,613.
Akron Institute Of Herzing University landed the #16 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Akron, Akron Institute Of Herzing University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Akron Institute Of Herzing University make a median of around $76,115 per year.
Harper College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,071.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #18 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint typically earn about $85,657 annually.
Mid Michigan Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Mid Michigan Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Harrison. Early-career nursing graduates from Mid Michigan Community College make a median of around $71,912 per year.
Mckendree University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Mckendree University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. Nursing graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of about $94,002 a year early in their careers.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #21 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Henry Ford Community College make a median of around $76,157 per year.
Parkland College landed the #22 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Parkland College typically earn about $73,173 annually.
Lake Michigan College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Lake Michigan College earn a median of about $75,725 a year early in their careers.
Lewis University earned the #24 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Lewis University typically earn about $86,450 annually.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #25 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career nursing graduates from Loyola University Chicago make a median of around $86,020 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid nursing ranking:
A few more high-earning nursing schools worth a look:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Herzing University Kenosha | Kenosha, WI | $81,525 | Full Report |
| #52 | Herzing University Madison | Madison, WI | $81,525 | Full Report |
| #53 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | $70,945 | Full Report |
| #54 | Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, MI | $81,223 | Full Report |
| #55 | Purdue University Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | $87,224 | Full Report |
| #56 | University Of Michigan Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | $81,553 | Full Report |
| #57 | Saginaw Valley State University | University Center, MI | $80,239 | Full Report |
| #58 | Rasmussen College Illinois | Rockford, IL | $75,988 | Full Report |
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.