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2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region

72 Ranked Colleges
1,972 Degrees Awarded
$115,638 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking - to help you make that 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. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,972 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,305 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 72 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. That schools that top this list have a program in nursing in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

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 “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Great Lakes Region

1
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rush University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. 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 199 students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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 Rush University

2

Out of the 72 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Anthony College of Nursing landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Rockford, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Full SACN Nursing Report

3
Lourdes crest
Lourdes University
Sylvania, Ohio

Out of the 72 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Lourdes University landed the #3 spot on the list. Lourdes University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sylvania, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Lourdes Nursing Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in North Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 36 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Nursing Report

5

Out of the 72 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Chamberlain University - Illinois landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Addison, Illinois, and it awarded 565 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Read more about Nursing at Chamberlain - Illinois

6
Viterbo crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Viterbo University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Viterbo University is a small school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin that handed out 43 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Viterbo University

7

With a ranking of #7, Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

8
Marian crest
Marian University
Indianapolis, Indiana

Marian University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 31 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Marian University

9
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Millikin University
Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Millikin is located in Decatur, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Nursing at Millikin

10
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Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Bradley University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Bradley is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 44 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Bradley

11

Mount St. Joseph University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Mount St. Joseph University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Mount St. Joe Nursing Report

12
St. Mary's College crest
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana

Saint Mary’s College ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Nursing at Saint Mary’s College

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #13. SIUE is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 69 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Nursing at SIUE

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Michigan - Flint did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Michigan - Flint is a public institution located in Flint, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 33 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Michigan - Flint

15

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #15. UW Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 44 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Full UW Oshkosh Nursing Report

16
McKendree crest
McKendree University
Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. McKendree University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lebanon, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 McKendree

17
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

Valparaiso University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Valpo is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valparaiso, Indiana. It awarded 17 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 more about Nursing at Valpo

18

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #18. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 134 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Nursing Report

19

University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne ranked #19 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. University of St. Francis Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne

20
Goshen crest
Goshen College
Goshen, Indiana

Goshen College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Goshen is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Goshen, Indiana. It awarded 3 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Nursing at Goshen

21

Case Western Reserve University ranked #21 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Case Western Reserve University

22

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 55 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Full UWM Nursing Report

23
Oak Point crest
Oak Point University
Chicago, Illinois

Oak Point University ranked #23 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Oak Point is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 4 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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 Oak Point University

24
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University ranked #24 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Ashland, Ohio, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Ashland University

25

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #25 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

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