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2024 Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

280 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
45,847 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
If you pursue a degree in registered nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #3 most popular program in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 280 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 45,847 degrees in registered nursing during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Registered Nursing School

Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region Your choice of registered nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for registered nursing schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Registered Nursing Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Registered Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Registered Nursing
Master's Degrees in Registered Nursing
Doctor's Degrees in Registered Nursing

The registered nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.


 

Best Schools for Registered Nursing in the Great Lakes Region

The schools below may not offer all types of registered nursing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Great Lakes Region Schools in Registered Nursing

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
23rd Most Popular In OH
127 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Any student who is interested in registered nursing needs to look into Case Western Reserve University. Case Western is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Cleveland. A Best Colleges rank of #63 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Case Western is a great university overall.

There were approximately 127 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Case Western in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Case Western Reserve University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
15th Most Popular In MI
157 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a wonderful option for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing. U-M is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were approximately 157 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IL
498 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Loyola University Chicago is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. Located in the large city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #137 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Loyola Chicago is a great university overall.

There were roughly 498 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Chicago in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Loyola University Chicago

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In WI
232 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

It is hard to beat University of Wisconsin - Madison if you want to pursue a degree in registered nursing. Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were approximately 232 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Wisconsin - Madison

5
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WI
367 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #130 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Marquette is a great university overall.

There were approximately 367 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Marquette in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Marquette University

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In OH
2,103 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

OHIO Athens is a very large public university located in the distant town of Athens. This university ranks 9th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 2103 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Ohio University - Athens Campus

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In IN
217 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Purdue is a fairly large public university located in the small city of West Lafayette. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.

There were roughly 217 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Purdue University - Main Campus

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In OH
642 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Ohio State is a very large public university located in the large city of Columbus. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 642 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Ohio State University - Main Campus

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In OH
419 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

UC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Cincinnati. A Best Colleges rank of #166 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 419 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In IN
495 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Indianapolis, IUPUI is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were approximately 495 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at IUPUI in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

11
Oak Point crest
Oak Point University
Oak Brook, IL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In IL
430 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Oak Point is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Oak Brook.

There were approximately 430 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Oak Point in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Oak Point University

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IL
9,596 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Chamberlain - Illinois is a very large private for-profit university located in the large suburb of Addison.

There were roughly 9596 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain - Illinois in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Chamberlain University - Illinois

13
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In OH
380 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College of Nursing is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

There were approximately 380 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mount Carmel College of Nursing in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Mount Carmel College of Nursing

14
Xavier crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In OH
386 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Xavier is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Cincinnati. This university ranks 12th out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 386 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Xavier in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Xavier University

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In OH
682 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Kent State is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Kent. This university ranks 14th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 682 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Kent State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Kent State University at Kent

16
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In IL
284 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

UIC is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #192 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UIC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 284 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Illinois at Chicago

17
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In IL
450 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Rockford. This university ranks 12th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 450 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rasmussen University - Illinois in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Rasmussen University - Illinois

18
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In MI
458 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Oakland is a large public university located in the large suburb of Rochester Hills. This university ranks 11th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were about 458 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Oakland in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Oakland University

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In OH
300 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Toledo, University of Toledo is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 19th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 300 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University of Toledo in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Toledo

20
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In MI
204 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 204 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Michigan State University

21
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
19th Most Popular In IL
115 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 14th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were roughly 115 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bradley in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Bradley University

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In MI
258 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Detroit Mercy is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Detroit. This university ranks 18th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were roughly 258 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Detroit Mercy in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Detroit Mercy

23
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
12th Most Popular In MI
172 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Wayne State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Detroit. This university ranks 7th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were approximately 172 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Wayne State University

24
Bellin College crest
Bellin College
Green Bay, WI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In WI
135 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the rural area of Green Bay, Bellin College is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

There were approximately 135 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bellin College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Bellin College

25
Madonna crest
Madonna University
Livonia, MI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In MI
281 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Livonia, Madonna is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 14th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were about 281 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Madonna in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Madonna University

Rest of the Top Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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27
27
29
Cedarville crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
30
31
Otterbein crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH
32

33
St. Mary's College crest
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN

34
35
36
Alverno crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI
37
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
38
39
40
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
41

42


 

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Registered Nursing students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
43 Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, WI
44 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
45 Saint Xavier University Chicago, IL
46 Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN
47 Ball State University Muncie, IN
48 Viterbo University La Crosse, WI
49 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OH
50 Ursuline College Pepper Pike, OH
51 Methodist College Peoria, IL
52 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI
53 Herzing University - Madison Madison, WI
54 North Park University Chicago, IL
55 Chamberlain University - Michigan Troy, MI
56 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH

Best Registered Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best registered nursing colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Ohio 939 11,765
Michigan 915 6,357
Illinois 870 17,153
Indiana 737 5,381
Wisconsin 672 4,688

View All Rankings >

Registered Nursing is one of 23 different types of Nursing programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 5,037
Nursing Practice 1,712
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 1,306
Nursing Administration 925
Nursing Science 622
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 364
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 320
Nurse Anesthetist 226
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing 213
School Nursing 89

View All Registered Nursing Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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