2026 Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Madison, our #1 school for nursing practice. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 36 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $92,233 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of Wisconsin Madison

2

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 13 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $111,912. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full nursing practice details for Loyola University Chicago

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 102 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $87,290. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of Illinois At Chicago

4

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 45 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $90,970 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,240 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for Ohio State University Main Campus

5

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

A rank of #5 makes Case Western Reserve University one of the top schools for nursing practice. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 29 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Case Western Reserve University earn around $112,484 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,580 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for Case Western Reserve University

6

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #6 for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Marquette University awarded about 23 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $86,752. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Get the full nursing practice details for Marquette University

7

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #7 position for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $89,879. Typical student debt for the program is $28,500. See the full nursing practice program report for Michigan State University

8

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #8 spot for nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 88 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $118,455. Typical student debt for the program is $23,043. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #9 among the best nursing practice schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 32 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $109,491 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,920 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

10

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #10 for nursing practice this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 20 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $80,108 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,778. See the full nursing practice program report for Ohio University Main Campus

11

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #11 position for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 17 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $87,284 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

12

Rush University
Chicago, IL

Rush University came in at #12 for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 227 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Rush University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Rush University earn a median of $100,700 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,206 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Rush University

13

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
Addison, IL

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois came in at #13 for nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 588 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois generally make around $109,135. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois

14

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 48 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn around $91,263 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

15

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 16 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $103,835 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,165 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Wayne State University

16

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Peoria. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 18 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Bradley University earn around $95,389 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Bradley University

17

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 29 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $91,727 early in their careers. Oakland University graduates carry a median of $29,430 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Oakland University

18

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #18 spot for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 36 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $140,906 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310. See the full nursing practice program report for Depaul University

19

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #19 among the best nursing practice schools. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. There were roughly 20 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $90,378 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

20

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #20 position for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $86,743. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

21

Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University landed the #21 spot for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. Viterbo University awarded about 14 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Viterbo University generally make around $92,297. Students borrow a median of $29,013 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for Viterbo University

22

Saint Anthony College Of Nursing
Rockford, IL

Saint Anthony College Of Nursing placed #22 among the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Saint Anthony College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit university. Saint Anthony College Of Nursing awarded about 10 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $71,970 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Get the full nursing practice details for Saint Anthony College Of Nursing

23

Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Ashland University graduates 60% of students within six years. Ashland University awarded about 104 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $71,445. Students borrow a median of $30,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at Ashland University

24

Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa
Wauwatosa, WI

Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa came in at #24 for nursing practice this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wauwatosa. About 17% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $70,342 in their early career. Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa graduates carry a median of $37,278 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa