2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, our #1 best value for nursing in the Great Lakes Region. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $15,660 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $70,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,660 median debt.

2

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,950. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $63,651. Set against $8,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $19,345 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $73,137 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,613 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $71,268. Set against $26,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $25,412 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,145. Set against $25,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Danville Area Community College
Danville, IL

Danville Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,372 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $67,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Schoolcraft College
Livonia, MI

Schoolcraft College earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $26,676 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,889. That is a strong return on a $26,676 median debt.

8

Delta College
University Center, MI

Delta College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,955 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Delta College earn a median of $67,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

Carl Sandburg College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,437 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,508. That is a strong return on a $9,437 median debt.

10

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Macomb Community College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $69,619. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.

11

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,751 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $18,617 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $71,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,005. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,717. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $60,115. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.

16

Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI

Lansing Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,310. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $69,093. Set against $28,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Montcalm Community College
Sidney, MI

Montcalm Community College came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sidney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,936, while out-of-state students pay about $10,104. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,757. Nursing graduates of Montcalm Community College earn a median of $68,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,010. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $18,209 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $63,003. That is a strong return on a $18,209 median debt.

20

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $69,403 early in their careers. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MI

Muskegon Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,789. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $65,793. That is a strong return on a $19,789 median debt.

23

Lorain County Community College
Elyria, OH

Lorain County Community College landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,996 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $64,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

North Central State College
Mansfield, OH

North Central State College landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,833. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,650. Set against $13,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL

Lincoln Land Community College placed #25 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,416 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $66,279 early in their careers. Set against $20,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.