by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 135 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 12,775 associate degrees in nursing during the 2021-2022 academic year.
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 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Rasmussen University - Illinois is one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in nursing. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit university located in the midsize city of Rockford.
Nursing associate degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois get an earnings boost of approximately $2,308 over the average income of nursing majors.
More information about a associate in nursing from Rasmussen University - Illinois
Gateway Technical College is a good choice for students interested in an associate degree in nursing. Located in the small city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a public college with a large student population.
Those nursing students who get their associate degree from Gateway Technical College receive $2,323 more than the average nursing grad.
More information about a associate in nursing from Gateway Technical College
It's hard to beat Madison Area Technical College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in nursing. Located in the city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Associate students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $66,446 in their early career salary.
More information about a associate in nursing from Madison Area Technical College
Ivy Tech Community College is a great option for students interested in an associate degree in nursing. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public college with a very large student population.
Soon after graduation, nursing associate recipients typically earn about $65,738 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a associate in nursing from Ivy Tech Community College
Located in the small city of Eau Claire, CVTC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Associate graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $64,532 in their early career salary.
More information about a associate in nursing from Chippewa Valley Technical College
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is a fairly small private for-profit university located in the city of Green Bay.
Nursing associate degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Wisconsin receive an earnings boost of approximately $2,308 above the average income of nursing majors.
More information about a associate in nursing from Rasmussen University - Wisconsin
Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College is a public college with a small student population.
Associate students who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $64,274 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a associate in nursing from Western Technical College
Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a public university with a very large student population.
After graduating, nursing associate recipients generally earn around $66,332 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a associate in nursing from Purdue University Global
MATC is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Milwaukee.
Nursing associate degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College get an earnings boost of around $3,334 over the typical income of nursing graduates.
More information about a associate in nursing from Milwaukee Area Technical College
Located in the large suburb of Akron, Herzing Akron is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly small student population.
Nursing associate degree recipients from Herzing University - Akron get an earnings boost of around $7,531 over the average income of nursing graduates.
More information about a associate in nursing from Herzing University - Akron
Located in the large suburb of Wauwatosa, Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Associate recipients from the nursing major at Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa earn $3,172 more than the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a associate in nursing from Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa
NWTC is a large public college located in the city of Green Bay.
Soon after graduating, nursing associate recipients typically make about $61,633 in their early careers.
More information about a associate in nursing from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Located in the large city of Toledo, Mercy College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Associate recipients from the nursing major at Mercy College of Ohio earn $3,674 more than the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a associate in nursing from Mercy College of Ohio
Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Cleveland.
Students who graduate with their associate from the nursing program state that they receive average early career income of $62,630.
More information about a associate in nursing from Cuyahoga Community College District
Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Nursing associate degree recipients from Sinclair Community College earn a boost of around $3,592 over the average earnings of nursing graduates.
More information about a associate in nursing from Sinclair Community College
Located in the midsize city of Dearborn, Henry Ford College is a public college with a large student population.
Those nursing students who get their associate degree from Henry Ford College make $5,457 more than the standard nursing graduate.
More information about a associate in nursing from Henry Ford College
WITC is a small public college located in the town of Rice Lake.
Students who graduate with their associate from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $64,281.
More information about a associate in nursing from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
LCC is a medium-sized public college located in the midsize city of Lansing.
Nursing associate degree recipients from Lansing Community College receive an earnings boost of about $3,282 above the typical income of nursing majors.
More information about a associate in nursing from Lansing Community College
University of St. Francis Fort Wayne is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Fort Wayne.
Students who graduate with their associate from the nursing program state that they receive average early career earnings of $64,983.
More information about a associate in nursing from University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne
BTC is a small public college located in the small suburb of Janesville.
Nursing associate degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College receive an earnings boost of about $3,681 above the average earnings of nursing graduates.
More information about a associate in nursing from Blackhawk Technical College
Located in the large city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Those nursing students who get their associate degree from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College receive $2,345 more than the average nursing graduate.
More information about a associate in nursing from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Located in the city of Cincinnati, Good Samaritan College of Nursing & Health Science is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Soon after graduation, nursing associate recipients typically make around $63,646 in their early careers.
More information about a associate in nursing from Good Samaritan College of Nursing & Health Science
FVTC is a large public college located in the suburb of Appleton.
Associate students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $63,050 in their early career salary.
More information about a associate in nursing from Fox Valley Technical College
Located in the suburb of Newark, COTC is a public college with a small student population.
Soon after graduation, nursing associate recipients typically earn an average of $66,324 in their early careers.
More information about a associate in nursing from Central Ohio Technical College
North Central Technical College is a moderately-sized public college located in the small city of Wausau.
Associate students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $63,958 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a associate in nursing from Northcentral Technical College
These 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Owens Community College | Perrysburg, OH |
| 29 | Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL |
| 30 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL |
| 31 | Schoolcraft College | Livonia, MI |
| 32 | Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac, WI |
| 33 | William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL |
| 34 | Clark State Community College | Springfield, OH |
| 35 | Bryant & Stratton College - Parma | Parma, OH |
| 36 | Illinois Central College | East Peoria, IL |
| 37 | North Central State College | Mansfield, OH |
| 38 | Vincennes University | Vincennes, IN |
| 39 | Marion Technical College | Marion, OH |
| 40 | Delta College | University Center, MI |
| 41 | City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College | Chicago, IL |
| 42 | Lorain County Community College | Elyria, OH |
| 43 | College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL |
| 44 | Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids, MI |
| 45 | Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, 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 | 12,643 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 71 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing | 61 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Allied Health Professions | 3,957 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 2,527 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 1,829 |
| Dental Support Services | 1,049 |
| Mental & Social Health Services | 787 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 511 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 424 |
| Other Health Professions | 99 |
| Health/Medical Prep Programs | 60 |
| Ophthalmic & Optometric Support Services | 45 |
