The Midwest offers abundant nursing opportunities. Find Nursing Schools supports you in finding the best nursing schools in the Midwest that prepare you for a future nursing career. Because of the thriving communities, health care partnerships and high-quality education, the Midwest is a great place to begin your nursing career.
As a nursing student, you want to attend a quality nursing school that meets your personal and academic needs and prepares you for success in your future career. If you live in the middle of the U.S. and want to become a nurse, it’s essential to choose one of the best nursing schools in the Midwest.
Many nursing students network in the hospital or facility where they complete clinical rotations. It is also common to find a first nursing role in the city in which you completed your degree, so choosing the right nursing school can shape your future career. Evaluate the program type, location and clinical opportunities when selecting a school.
Find Nursing Schools helps you locate nursing programs that align with your needs and provide a quality education. Explore why the Midwest is a strong choice for your nursing education and career.
What Makes the Best Nursing Programs in the Midwest?
Nursing is an excellent second career for those seeking personal fulfillment and high job security. If you already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a significant amount of college credit, consider an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, which allows you to earn your BSN within 12 to 18 months.
With flexible online coursework, hands-on skills and simulation labs and clinical rotations, these programs teach everything needed to become a successful nurse and pass the NCLEX-RN, a comprehensive nursing licensure test. In the Midwest, many of the best programs offer robust ABSN options that prepare students with comprehensive nursing education.
Learn more about what an accelerated nursing program is and how it works.
Five of the Best Nursing Schools in the Midwest
The Midwest is an excellent place to begin your nursing career. With thriving communities and high-quality schools, you can pursue an ABSN program in Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin.
Concordia University, St. Paul—St. Paul, Minnesota
If you want an accelerated nursing program with a strong focus on Christian values and evidence-based practice, Concordia University, St. Paul's ABSN in Minnesota lets you earn your BSN in as few as 16 months. With three start dates per year in January, May and September, and rolling admissions, you can begin your education sooner and transition quickly into the nursing workforce.
St. Paul, Minnesota’s capital, sits in the heart of the Twin Cities metro area, where you’ll find diverse cultural, culinary and entertainment options among more than 3.7 million residents. Three of the five largest health care providers are nearby, offering firsthand experience and strong networking opportunities with potential employers.
Nurses in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metropolitan area earn an annual median wage of $102,240, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That’s well above the national median salary of $93,600. With 40,510 nurses employed in the metro area, there are many job and networking opportunities.
Contact Concordia University’s admissions team to learn more about its ABSN program and receive guidance through the admissions process.
Grand Canyon University—St. Louis, Missouri
At Grand Canyon University’s ABSN, nurses learn to promote health and wellness and provide quality care grounded in evidence-based practice that reflects Christ-centered values and human flourishing.
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, GCU’s ABSN site offers dedicated classroom space, skills and simulation labs, and strong clinical partnerships. In as few as 16 months, students can earn their BSN through online courses, skills and simulation labs, and clinical rotations.
St. Louis, the second largest city in Missouri, with ample public transportation and entertainment venues, ideal for starting your nursing career. Nurses in the St. Louis metro area earn an annual median wage of $84,750, with employment of 33,660, according to BLS data. The area has many opportunities for aspiring nurses to enter the health care profession and bridge the workforce gap while making a positive impact in the community.
If Grand Canyon University feels right for you, complete the online form and an enrollment counselor will contact and guide you through the process.
Madonna University—Southfield, Michigan
Located in Metro Detroit, Madonna University ABSN allows students with at least 60 college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to earn their BSN in as few as 16 months. Smaller class sizes and dedicated academic success coaches provide personalized instruction and support to prepare you for nursing success. Through e-learning platforms, immersive simulations and specialized lab equipment, you'll feel supported throughout your academic journey.
Detroit’s population is growing, along with its cultural offerings, outdoor activities and culinary options. This growth gives students opportunities to connect and network with other health care professionals in top health care facilities.
Providing competitive salaries and ample opportunities, nurses in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn median annual wage of $88,980, and the area boasts employment of 44,280 registered nurse jobs.
To learn more about Madonna University, complete the online form to have an admissions representative contact you.
Marian University—Indianapolis, Indiana
Through Marian University’s ABSN, students have everything needed to become practice-ready nurses, through a curriculum of realistic patient simulations, skills labs and clinical rotations. This 16-month track allows you to earn your degree quicker than a traditional nursing program. This values-based education emphasizes caring for patients by focusing on mind, body and soul.
Home to more than 2 million people and 20 hospitals, Indianapolis is a great place to start your nursing career. According to BLS data, nurses in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median annual wage of $81,310. The cost of living in Indianapolis is 10% lower than the national average, and housing costs are 24% lower, according to Payscale.
Because of its favorable cost of living and opportunities, Marian University in Indianapolis is a great place to begin a nursing career
Contact Marian University today to learn more about its accelerated BSN program.
Marquette University—Pleasant Prairie and Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nurses must lead courageously and advocate for a vulnerable community. With Marquette University’s Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program teaches you to lead, advocate and think critically through a blended learning model and clinical rotations. If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, Marquette University is a great choice to earn your MSN in either five or eight months.
At the Pleasant Prairie Direct Entry MSN site, students can take mostly online courses, with three start dates per year. At the Milwaukee campus, most classes are in person, with one start date per year. Marquette University’s Pleasant Prairie location provides easy access to Chicago and its entertainment, cultural opportunities, food and nature.
RNs in Wisconsin earn an annual median wage of $86,070, according to the BLS. This makes Pleasant Prairie and Milwaukee desirable locations to study nursing.
If you want to learn more about Marquette University’s Direct Entry MSN program, contact their admissions team.
Why Consider an Accelerated BSN Program in the Midwest?
The Midwest’s top-tier health care systems make it a great place to begin your nursing career with an ABSN program. Explore a few of the top reasons to pursue a nursing program here.
- Supportive and safe communities with both urban and rural options
- Strong network of local hospitals, health care facilities and partnerships
- Need for qualified nurses
- Competitive salaries
- Significantly lower cost of living
- ABSN programs that allow a quicker return on education investments
How can you succeed in nursing school? Learn more about essential nursing student resources to succeed.
Tips for Choosing the Right Midwest Program
Finding a nursing school that aligns with your career goals is essential because you’ll have valuable networking and connection opportunities throughout your studies. Choosing a nursing school can be challenging, so review some tips to help you decide between the best nursing programs in the Midwest.
- Ensure that the nursing school has appropriate accreditation and state approval, as this affects your eligibility for licensure through the NCLEX-RN.
- Consider the length of the ABSN program and its start dates; shorter programs help you enter the profession faster but are more intense due to the workload.
- Meet all prerequisites and requirements before starting an ABSN program. Many programs have admissions counselors who can guide you through the process, and some offer options to complete prerequisite courses before enrollment.
- Look for quality clinical partners; the Midwest offers a wide variety of clinical partners that let nursing students gain experience across diverse areas of health care.
Start Your Nursing Career Today
If you’re ready to pursue a nursing career in the Midwest, start by filling out the online form. We will contact you with more information about nursing schools so you can find the one that best aligns with your career and personal goals.
