by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 139 schools in the Great Lakes Region to determine which ones were the best for nursing students pursuing a associate degree. Combined, these schools handed out 12,839 associate degrees in nursing to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The nursing associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality nursing program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their associate degree from the school. After all, your associate degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Rasmussen University - Illinois is one of the best schools in the country for getting an associate degree in nursing. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit university located in the city of Rockford.
Nursing associate degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois earn a boost of around $2,518 above the average income of nursing graduates.
More information about a associate in nursing from Rasmussen University - Illinois
Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in nursing needs to take a look at University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne. University of St. Francis Fort Wayne is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Fort Wayne.
Soon after graduation, nursing associate recipients usually make around $56,645 in their early careers.
More information about a associate in nursing from University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne
It's difficult to beat Chippewa Valley Technical College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in nursing. Located in the city of Eau Claire, CVTC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Soon after graduating, nursing associate recipients typically make an average of $56,972 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a associate in nursing from Chippewa Valley Technical College
It is difficult to beat Madison Area Technical College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a large student population.
Nursing associate degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College receive an earnings boost of approximately $7,341 over the typical earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a associate in nursing from Madison Area Technical College
Located in the medium-sized suburb of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the nursing program state that they receive average early career earnings of $56,839.
More information about a associate in nursing from Gateway Technical College
Located in the large city of Toledo, Mercy College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
After graduation, nursing associate recipients generally make an average of $56,553 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a associate in nursing from Mercy College of Ohio
Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the nursing program state that they receive average early career earnings of $54,846.
More information about a associate in nursing from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Located in the rural area of Rio Grande, University of Rio Grande is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.
Associate graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $54,539 for their early career.
More information about a associate in nursing from University of Rio Grande
Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College is a public college with a small student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the nursing program state that they receive average early career income of $55,340.
More information about a associate in nursing from Western Technical College
Located in the suburb of Akron, Herzing Akron is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.
Those nursing students who get their associate degree from Herzing University - Akron earn $3,170 more than the typical nursing student.
More information about a associate in nursing from Herzing University - Akron
Harper College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Palatine.
Those nursing students who get their associate degree from William Rainey Harper College earn $7,366 more than the typical nursing student.
More information about a associate in nursing from William Rainey Harper College
Oakton Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the small city of Des Plaines.
Associate recipients from the nursing program at Oakton Community College earn $10,240 more than the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a associate in nursing from Oakton Community College
Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the nursing program report average early career wages of $53,005.
More information about a associate in nursing from Purdue University Global
Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in nursing from Schoolcraft College
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is a fairly small private for-profit university located in the midsize city of Green Bay.
Nursing associate degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Wisconsin get an earnings boost of about $2,518 above the average earnings of nursing graduates.
More information about a associate in nursing from Rasmussen University - Wisconsin
BTC is a small public college located in the small suburb of Janesville.
Associate recipients from the nursing major at Blackhawk Technical College get $2,521 above the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a associate in nursing from Blackhawk Technical College
North Central Technical College is a medium-sized public college located in the small city of Wausau.
Soon after graduating, nursing associate recipients usually earn about $52,477 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a associate in nursing from Northcentral Technical College
Cuyahoga Community College District is a large public college located in the large city of Cleveland.
Soon after graduation, nursing associate recipients generally earn around $54,982 in their early careers.
More information about a associate in nursing from Cuyahoga Community College District
Located in the small suburb of Newark, COTC is a public college with a small student population.
Soon after graduation, nursing associate recipients generally make around $53,732 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a associate in nursing from Central Ohio Technical College
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College of Lake County is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Grayslake.
Nursing associate degree recipients from College of Lake County earn a boost of about $5,629 over the average income of nursing graduates.
More information about a associate in nursing from College of Lake CountyThese are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Clark State Community College | Springfield, OH |
| 27 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI |
| 21 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN |
| 22 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH |
| 23 | Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College | Shell Lake, WI |
| 24 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing & Health Science | Cincinnati, OH |
| 25 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL |
Explore the best nursing colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .
One of 34 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 12,709 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 96 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing | 34 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Allied Health Professions | 3,991 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 3,069 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 1,699 |
| Dental Support Services | 1,145 |
| Mental & Social Health Services | 822 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 526 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 440 |
| Other Health Professions | 108 |
| Health/Medical Prep Programs | 71 |
| Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services | 33 |
