College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

266 Ranked Colleges
57,106 Degrees Awarded
$4,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 322,592 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. 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.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 266 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great nursing programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Nursing Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

Out of the 266 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 291 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $5,670 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Nursing at U-M

2
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 266 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 227 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University - Main Campus is $5,853 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Purdue University - Main Campus

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 257 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $4,788 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Madison

4

Out of the 266 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 738 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $8,216 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at IUPUI

5
MVCC crest
Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, Illinois

Out of the 266 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Palos Hills, Illinois, and it awarded 75 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Moraine Valley Community College is $896 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Nursing at MVCC

6
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Waubonsee Community College is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 113 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $3,782 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Waubonsee Community College Nursing Report

6
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakland University is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 509 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakland also took the #19 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,839 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakland University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 full report on Nursing at Oakland University

8
ECC crest
Elgin Community College
Elgin, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Elgin Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Elgin Community College is a medium-sized school located in Elgin, Illinois that handed out 91 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Elgin Community College is $2,878 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Nursing at ECC

9
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Oakland Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 120 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $2,762 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Nursing at Oakland Community College

10
Washtenaw Community College crest
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Washtenaw Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Washtenaw Community College is a fairly large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 121 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Washtenaw Community College is $3,376 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Washtenaw Community College Nursing Report

11
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Henry Ford College is located in Dearborn, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 201 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,019 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Henry Ford College.

Full Henry Ford College Nursing Report

12

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 141 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $3,428 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Nursing at City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College

13

Sinclair Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Sinclair Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 142 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $4,227 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Sinclair Community College Nursing Report

14
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Plaines, Illinois. It awarded 55 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $6,739 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakton Community College Nursing Report

15

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this medium-sized public school awarded 59 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cincinnati State is $4,880 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Nursing at Cincinnati State

16

Cuyahoga Community College District did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Cuyahoga Community College District is located in Cleveland, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 327 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,171 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cuyahoga Community College District.

Read more about Nursing at Cuyahoga Community College District

17
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan

Delta College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in University Center, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 141 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Delta College is $3,988 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Nursing at Delta College

18
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,366 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $6,820 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Nursing at Ivy Tech Community College

19

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 669 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Nursing at Ohio State University - Main Campus

20
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Carl Sandburg College is $2,250 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Carl Sandburg College Nursing Report

21
LCC crest
Lansing Community College
Lansing, Michigan

Lansing Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lansing, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 198 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend LCC is $6,081 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full LCC Nursing Report

22
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

College of Lake County came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,248 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of Lake County.

Full College of Lake County Nursing Report

23
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 97 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $5,045 for Great Lakes Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Nursing at Joliet Junior College

24

Lorain County Community College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Elyria, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 146 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,619 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lorain County Community College.

Read more about Nursing at Lorain County Community College

25

Purdue University Northwest ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Hammond, Indiana, and it awarded 633 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Purdue Northwest is in the top on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue Northwest is $8,608 for great lakes region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Purdue University Northwest Nursing Report

Rest of the Best 40 in Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 40 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
Harper College crest
William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, Illinois
28
29
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, Illinois
30
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, Illinois
31
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, Illinois
32
33
33
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois
35
36
37
38
Gateway Technical College crest
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, Wisconsin
38
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
40

Switch to a Similar Major

Health Sciences & Services
Best Value Colleges for Health Sciences & Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Dentistry
Best Value Colleges for Dentistry (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Dental Support Services
Best Value Colleges for Dental Support Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services
Best Value Colleges for Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science
Best Value Colleges for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Medicine
Best Value Colleges for Medicine (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Mental & Social Health Services
Best Value Colleges for Mental & Social Health Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Ophthalmic & Optometric Support Services
Best Value Colleges for Ophthalmic & Optometric Support Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Public Health
Best Value Colleges for Public Health (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Health Aids/Attendants/Orderlies
Best Value Colleges for Health Aids/Attendants/Orderlies (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services
Best Value Colleges for Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Alternative Medicine & Systems
Best Value Colleges for Alternative Medicine & Systems (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services
Best Value Colleges for Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Other Health Professions
Best Value Colleges for Other Health Professions (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Communication Sciences
Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences
Best Value Colleges for Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Health & Medical Administrative Services
Best Value Colleges for Health & Medical Administrative Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Allied Health Professions
Best Value Colleges for Allied Health Professions (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Health/Medical Prep Programs
Best Value Colleges for Health/Medical Prep Programs (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Medical Science
Best Value Colleges for Medical Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Optometry
Best Value Colleges for Optometry (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences
Best Value Colleges for Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions
Best Value Colleges for Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Medical Illustration & Informatics
Best Value Colleges for Medical Illustration & Informatics (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Bioethics/Medical Ethics
Best Value Colleges for Bioethics/Medical Ethics (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Alternative Medical Support Services
Best Value Colleges for Alternative Medical Support Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Movement & Mind-Body Therapies
Best Value Colleges for Movement & Mind-Body Therapies (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

Switch to a More Focused Major

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options