2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $51,424. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

3

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #3 place for nursing practice. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,408 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $89,364. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at University Of Southern Indiana, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $91,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,455 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

6

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University landed the #6 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $58,852. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.

7

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University placed #7 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,342. Nursing Practice graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $91,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

8

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University placed #8 among the best values for nursing practice. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $54,608. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

9

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $31,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,491. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,043 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $118,455. Set against $23,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

11

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University placed #11 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $95,570. Set against $30,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

12

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $29,430 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

13

Mount Carmel College Of Nursing
Columbus, OH

Mount Carmel College Of Nursing ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $88,238. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing admits about 84% of applicants.

14

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #14 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,000. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $91,263 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

15

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #15 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $28,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,542. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.

16

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University came in at #16 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,165 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $103,835. Set against $30,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #17 for value in nursing practice this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $102,988. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

18

Bryant And Stratton College Parma
Parma, OH

Bryant And Stratton College Parma came in at #18 for value in nursing practice this year. Bryant And Stratton College Parma is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,013. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $37,278. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $70,342. Set against $37,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #19 for value in nursing practice this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Students borrow a median of $30,700 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $94,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

21

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #21 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $92,233. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

22

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University earned the #22 position for value in nursing practice this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $78,173. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

23

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #23 spot for nursing practice value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $86,743 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24

Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa
Wauwatosa, WI

Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa came in at #24 for value in nursing practice this year. Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wauwatosa. Students from in state pay about $20,469 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $37,278 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa earn a median of $70,342 early in their careers. Set against $37,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Goshen College
Goshen, IN

Goshen College landed the #25 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Goshen College generally make around $71,791. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.