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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Nursing Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

15 Colleges in the United States
402 Nursing Science Degrees Awarded
$88,336 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best nursing science schools.

What’s on this page:

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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing BSN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Accelerated BSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Accelerated BSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing CNA to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing CNA to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing EMT to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Programs (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Programs (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to RN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to RN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
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DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to BSN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
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DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Medical Assistant to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Direct Entry MSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Direct Entry MSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Paramedic to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Paramedic to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to BSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing RN to BSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Forensic Nurse (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing ADN or ASN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Certified Nursing Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Nursing Education" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Nursing Education" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Population Healthcare" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health Systems Management (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Administrator (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Administrator (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leader (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leader (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
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DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN to MSN Programs (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing BSN to MSN Programs (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN to PhD Programs (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Case Management (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Case Management (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Dual MSN/MBA (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Associates) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Associates) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Bachelors) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Bachelors) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to BSN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Patient Safety & Quality (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Patient Safety & Quality (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Pediatric Care Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Pediatric Care Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
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DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 11 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
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DEBUG: Backfilling with 11 offers with relevance >= 0.8

Best Schools for Nursing Science in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing science education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Nursing Science

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Illinois At Chicago this year for nursing science. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 110 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $87,290 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full nursing science program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

2

A rank of #2 makes Benedictine University one of the top schools for nursing science. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Benedictine University graduates 50% of students within six years. Benedictine University awarded about 57 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Benedictine University earn around $90,860 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,188 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing science program at Benedictine University

3
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL

Rush University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 160 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Rush University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $100,700 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,206 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing science program at Rush University

4

A rank of #4 makes Northern Illinois University one of the top schools for nursing science. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 35 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $91,491 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing science program at Northern Illinois University

5

North Park University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best nursing science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at North Park University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $89,721 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing science details for North Park University

6
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University earned the #6 position for nursing science this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 nursing science degrees were awarded at Governors State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $91,087 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,342 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing science details for Governors State University

7

Trinity College Of Nursing And Health Sciences earned the #7 position for nursing science this year. Trinity College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. There were roughly 12 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Trinity College Of Nursing And Health Sciences in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $67,202 in their early career. Trinity College Of Nursing And Health Sciences graduates carry a median of $35,500 in student loans. Read more about the nursing science program at Trinity College Of Nursing And Health Sciences

Narrow Nursing Science Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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