2026 Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

No school ranked higher than University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year for nursing. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 350 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $91,969 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. See the full nursing program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

2

Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science
North Chicago, IL

Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of North Chicago, Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science awarded about 37 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science earn around $223,679 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full nursing details for Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #3. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 223 nursing degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $91,063 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,455 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Purdue University Main Campus

4

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #4. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 251 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $92,233 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

5

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 387 nursing degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $111,912 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full nursing details for Loyola University Chicago

6

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 579 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $87,290 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

7

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #7 for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 341 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $90,432 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,075 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Illinois State University

8

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #8 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 570 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $90,970. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,240 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Ohio State University Main Campus

9

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University earned the #9 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 194 nursing degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing 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 program report for Case Western Reserve University

10

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #10 for nursing this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 442 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Marquette University earn around $86,752 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Marquette University

11

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #11 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 286 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $89,879. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Michigan State University

12

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #12 among the best nursing schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 435 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $118,455 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,043 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

13

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University landed the #13 spot for nursing this year. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 92 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $90,860 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,188 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Benedictine University

14

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. College Of Lake County awarded about 71 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $72,472 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,005. See the full nursing program report for College Of Lake County

15

Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI

Gateway Technical College came in at #15 for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kenosha. About 169 nursing degrees were awarded at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $68,134 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the nursing program at Gateway Technical College

16

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 1,014 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $109,491 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,920. See the full nursing program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

17

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #17 position for nursing this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. About 1,401 nursing degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $80,108 early in their careers. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,778 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Ohio University Main Campus

18

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #18 position for nursing this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 217 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $90,066. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Lewis University

19

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. University Of Toledo graduates 58% of students within six years. About 340 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Toledo in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $76,736 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,400. Read more about the nursing program at University Of Toledo

20

Moraine Park Technical College
Fond du Lac, WI

Moraine Park Technical College came in at #20 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Moraine Park Technical College awarded about 106 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $66,776. Moraine Park Technical College graduates carry a median of $17,025 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Moraine Park Technical College

21

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana landed the #21 spot for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Evansville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 210 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $91,255. Typical student debt for the program is $25,089. Get the full nursing details for University Of Southern Indiana

22

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #22 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. About 142 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $87,284 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Get the full nursing details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

23

Rush University
Chicago, IL

Rush University landed the #23 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 387 nursing degrees were awarded at Rush University in the most recent year. Nursing 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. Read more about the nursing program at Rush University

24

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis landed the #24 spot for nursing this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. University Of St Francis graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of St Francis awarded about 154 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $94,166 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,700. See the full nursing program report for University Of St Francis

25

Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Xavier University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 333 nursing degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $78,516 in their early career. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Xavier University