2025 Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
278
Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
55,295
Nursing Degrees Awarded
$84,107
Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in
nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #3 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
College Factual reviewed 278 schools in the Great Lakes Region to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of nursing. Combined, these schools handed out 55,295 degrees in nursing to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Nursing School
Your choice of nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Nursing School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Pick Your Nursing Degree Level
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region list to help you make the college decision.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.
Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual's methodology.
Best Schools for Nursing in the Great Lakes Region
The schools below may not offer all types of 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 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
25 Top Great Lakes Region Schools in Nursing
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in nursing. U-M is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.
There were roughly 331 nursing students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $82,545 for their early career.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Case Western Reserve University is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in nursing. Case Western is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Cleveland. A Best Colleges rank of #116 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Case Western is a great university overall.
There were roughly 261 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Case Western in the most recent year we have data available. Those nursing students who get their degree from Case Western Reserve University earn $19,025 more than the typical nursing grad.
More information about a degree in nursing from Case Western Reserve University
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN
Program Name
With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Loyola University Chicago is a great decision for students interested in a degree in 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 #100 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Loyola Chicago is a great university overall.
There were about 530 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Chicago in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago get an earnings boost of approximately $3,057 above the typical income of nursing graduates.
More information about a degree in nursing from Loyola University Chicago
It is hard to beat University of Cincinnati - Main Campus if you want to pursue a degree in nursing. UC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Cincinnati. A Best Colleges rank of #137 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC is a great university overall.
There were approximately 1182 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent year we have data available. Those nursing students who get their degree from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus make $11,245 more than the typical nursing student.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
OHIO Athens is a fairly large public university located in the distant town of Athens. This university ranks 7th out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were roughly 1959 nursing students who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $77,076.
More information about a degree in nursing from Ohio University - Athens Campus
Located in the large city of Milwaukee, Marquette is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #114 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Marquette is a great university overall.
There were approximately 501 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Marquette in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, nursing degree recipients usually earn about $76,886 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in nursing from Marquette University
Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.
There were approximately 287 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, nursing degree recipients generally make about $81,547 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Wisconsin - Madison
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN
Program Name
At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Located in the city of Indianapolis, IUPUI is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 41 colleges for overall quality in the state of Indiana.
There were approximately 790 nursing students who graduated with this degree at IUPUI in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career income of $74,853.
More information about a degree in nursing from Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis
Located in the large city of Madison, Herzing University - Madison is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #102 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Herzing University - Madison is a great university overall.
There were about 400 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Herzing University - Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, nursing degree recipients usually make about $80,970 in their early careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from Herzing University - Madison
Ohio State is a very large public university located in the large city of Columbus. A Best Colleges rank of #70 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.
There were roughly 657 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from Ohio State University - Main Campus get an earnings boost of approximately $4,003 above the average earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a degree in nursing from Ohio State University - Main Campus
Kent State is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Kent. This university ranks 9th out of 91 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were roughly 715 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Kent State in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, nursing degree recipients typically earn around $71,228 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from Kent State University at Kent
Masters
Degree Type
MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership
Program Name
Get on track to lead with your online MSN in Nurse Executive Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit university located in the midsize city of Rockford. A Best Colleges rank of #111 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Rasmussen University - Illinois is a great university overall.
There were approximately 721 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rasmussen University - Illinois in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, nursing degree recipients usually make around $69,825 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in nursing from Rasmussen University - Illinois
Purdue is a fairly large public university located in the city of West Lafayette. A Best Colleges rank of #65 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.
There were approximately 226 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program state that they receive average early career income of $79,802.
More information about a degree in nursing from Purdue University - Main Campus
Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #54 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.
There were approximately 257 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career wages of $82,984.
More information about a degree in nursing from Michigan State University
Xavier is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Cincinnati. This university ranks 10th out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were about 417 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Xavier in the most recent data year. After graduating, nursing degree recipients usually make an average of $76,607 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from Xavier University
Masters
Degree Type
MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
Program Name
Break into one of the most high-demand occupations in the nation with your online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Oakland is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. This university ranks 10th out of 56 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
There were roughly 600 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Oakland in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $79,852.
More information about a degree in nursing from Oakland University
Wayne State is a very large public university located in the city of Detroit. This university ranks 9th out of 56 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
There were approximately 285 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at Wayne State University earn $9,193 above the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in nursing from Wayne State University
Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 41 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.
There were roughly 983 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Global in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Purdue University Global receive an earnings boost of approximately $7,038 above the typical earnings of nursing graduates.
More information about a degree in nursing from Purdue University Global
Located in the small city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a public college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #160 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Gateway Technical College is a great college overall.
There were about 168 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, nursing degree recipients usually earn around $68,134 in their early careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from Gateway Technical College
Masters
Degree Type
MS in Nursing - Nursing Education
Program Name
Position the next generation of nurses for success with your online MSN in Nursing Education from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in MS in Nursing - Nursing Education from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Located in the large city of Toledo, University of Toledo is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 15th out of 91 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were approximately 398 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University of Toledo in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make an average of $74,069 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Toledo
Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Detroit. This university ranks 7th out of 56 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
There were approximately 313 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Detroit Mercy in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program make an average of $83,816 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Detroit Mercy
UIC is a very large public university located in the large city of Chicago. This university ranks 10th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.
There were approximately 533 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, nursing degree recipients typically make about $78,335 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Illinois at Chicago
Located in the large city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a large student population. This college ranks 5th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.
There were approximately 165 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Madison College in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, nursing degree recipients usually make about $66,446 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in nursing from Madison Area Technical College
Masters
Degree Type
MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety
Program Name
Ensure a safer future for healthcare with your online MSN in Healthcare Quality & Safety from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public college with a very large student population. This college ranks 4th out of 41 colleges for overall quality in the state of Indiana.
There were roughly 1293 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career income of $65,738.
More information about a degree in nursing from Ivy Tech Community College
Located in the large city of Chicago, Rush University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.
There were roughly 389 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rush University in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing major at Rush University earn $18,284 above the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in nursing from Rush University