Finding the right nursing schools in Michigan can be tough. There are dozens of schools that say that they offer the best education, but that simply can’t be true. Every school is a little bit different. To get your Rn, you will need to go through an approved professional nursing program and pass your background check and licensing exam. You can get an associate’s degree and enter the career field, but many positions require a bachelor’s degree.
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Why Choose Michigan for your BSN?
Applying for nursing school in Michigan is smart, because the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services provides support for nurses. There are many jobs available as well, since there are a variety of options for where to work, such as in hospitals, nursing homes, inpatient or outpatient settings. We can help you find the right degree with our Degree Finder program.
Nursing in Michigan
Michigan is not a member of the nurse license compact. Prospective nurses can pass the NCLEX, which is required to go through a Board approved nursing program. If they do not pass, they may still be able to get a license through other means. RN candidates need to be enrolled in approved registered nursing programs. When choosing a program, remember to look at the program level. The higher degree, the nursing baccalaureate, or BSN, is more valuable in the long-term. The average salary of nurses in the state is $65,870, as of 2020.
Rank | School | Location |
---|---|---|
1 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
2 | Mott Community College | Flint, Michigan |
3 | Gogebic Community College | Ironwood, Michigan |
4 | Baker College | Township, Michigan |
5 | Saginaw Valley State University | University Center, Michigan |
Top 26 Nursing Schools in Michigan
We’ve compiled a collection of the stop schools for nursing in Michigan. We ranked them according to their cost (lower is better) and student-to-teacher ratio (fewer is better).
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo Valley Community College offers two-year nursing programs that you can then transfer to larger BSN programs elsewhere. Financially, this is the cheapest option on the list, at least for the first two years. The programs are approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing. The program is for an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and LPN to RN completion.
School Overview
Mott Community College
Mott Community College only allows for associate’s degrees, but this is a good place to save money before heading on with the career path. Graduates from the program are elible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The program focuses on several core ideas including holism, integrity, patient-centeredness and ethics. The graduates receive an Applied Sciences degree in Nursing (ADN).
School Overview
Gogebic Community College
Gogebic Community College offers an RN or LPN with an associate degree. Students need to college 64 credits to move on to the LPN. For LPN to RN, 42 additional credits are needed. The school states that students may work as registered nurses within 2.5 years with their program.
The school’s employment outlook states that the median annual wage grew to $67,490, according to the Better Business Bureau. Employment is also expected to grow by 16% between 2014 and 2024, so many jobs should be available to students.
School Overview
Baker College
Baker College has one of the most affordable nursing degrees available in the state. BC is part of the private Baker College system. The undergraduate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
It offers a BSN with two completion and entry paths. The program requires 180 quarter credits to graduate with the BSN.
School Overview
Saginaw Valley State University
Located in University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is also affordable. It offers undergraduate nursing programs through the Department of Nursing and the College of Health and Human Services. They are accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
There are three entry and completion paths for students in SVSU’s programs. The BSN program requires a minimum of 124 credits for graduation.
School Overview
Ferris State University
In Big Rapids, Ferris State University offers a BSN in its school of nursing (SON). There are two entry and completion paths, including a pre-licensure and post-licensure program. This is a highly competitive program. Only 32 people are accepted yearly. To graduate, students need to complete 120 credits. Graduates can expect to work in public health centers, home care, hospice, schools, or entry-level in healthcare.
School Overview
Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University claims a high 94% employment rate for graduates from its programs. It also boasts a 100% placement in nursing and other programs. At this school, both in and out-of-state students pay the same rate for tuition, which is a unique factor to consider. The school’s NCLEX-RN pass rate is between 94.8% and 97.37%, so you can trust in the education that is being taught. Students need to collect 125 credits or more to graduate.
School Overview
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University in Allendale has the Kirkhof College of Nursing and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. It claims an employment rate of 94% for post-grads.
There are three entry and completion paths for nursing students. The program requires 120 credits for graduation, and both 4 and 4.5-year study plans are available.
School Overview
Western Michigan University
WMU is the location of the Bronson School of Nursing. It has an additional accreditation from the American Holistic Nursing Certification Corporation on top of the accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
There are two entry and completion paths at this school, and students in the traditional track are eligible for the NCLEX-RN professional licensing exam. 125 credits are needed to graduate from the program.
School Overview
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University offers three entry and completion paths for the BSN. IT is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
There is a heavy emphasis on critical thinking skills and being a caregiver. SON students have access to a high-fidelity simulation suite for in-hospital replications. To graduate, students need to collect a minimum of 124 credits.
School Overview
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus hosts a nursing curriculum that prepares students for life in the field. It is a competitive school, but it boasts a 91% graduation rate.
The University of Michigan offers nursing programs that are accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. There are four entry and completion paths for the nursing programs. The BSN program requires at least 120 credits for graduation.
School Overview
Oakland University
Oakland University is also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and has previously ranked as one of the best grad schools, top Midwest school and with other accolades. The BSN program has three entry and completion pathways.
School Overview
Northern Michigan University
The Northern Michigan University School of Nursing helps students prepare to work in community and hospital settings. Over 90% of graduates find work within six months in placements in hospitals, physicians’ offices and clinics. Some work in home health care, occupational or community settings.
The RN to BSN degree can be completed in as little as four semesters, while other programs are also available. Some programs include the practical nursing certificate, nursing major, RN to Baccalaureate nursing, post-baccalaureate track and post master’s track.
School Overview
Wayne State University
Located in Detroit, Wayne State University offers a nursing education that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. It has recently won two awards from U.S. News and World Report. Those awards were for the MSN and DNP graduate nursing programs.
This school offers five entry and completion paths including pre-licensure and post-licensure pathways. To graduate, students need to get between 121 and 126 credits.
School Overview
Michigan State University
Michigan State University offers a nursing program that has a high-quality MSN program that was in the 20 best online graduate nursing programs as well as a BSN through traditional or accelerated program options. The program has been available in some form since 1950.
School Overview
Davenport University
Davenport University offers a bachelor’s in nursing with pre-licensure tracks. For graduation, students must collect 120 credits. Davenport allows applications from freshmen, so they can begin taking nursing-related courses sooner than in some other programs. The school offers a $5,700 nursing scholarship.
School Overview
Finlandia University
Finlandia University offers a nursing program that results in a BSN. The program prepares its graduates for taking the NCLEX. In both 2016 and 2019, 100% of Finlandia’s BSN graduates passed on the first attempt.
School Overview
Rochester University
Rochester University offers multiple nursing degrees including early acceptance options, dual degree in nursing programs, RN to BS programs, RN to BS to MS programs and others. It creates online and hybrid courses as well, so that people from diverse backgrounds can seek this health care degree.
School Overview
Madonna University
Madonna University offers four BSN degree formats to consider the students’ current academic or professional experiences. There is a pre-licensure program as well as an accelerated program for a BSN. The programs are approved by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education and the Michigan Board of Nursing. Additionally, the University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
School Overview
Siena Heights University
Siena Heights University offers an RN-BSN degree track. The program has a lower tuition rate starting at $350 per tuition hour and offers a single price over two academic years guaranteed. The school offers a CCNE accredited RN-BSN degree completion program for registered nurses who want to continue their education.
School Overview
University of Detroit Mercy
The University of Detroit Mercy offers a BSN as well as a part-time BSN for people who need flexible scheduling. There is a special discounted rate for part-time BSN students as well as a year-round program available. There are several tracks to try to obtain the nursing degree desired.
School Overview
Andrews Universty
At Andrews University, there are several nursing programs including a BSN, RN-BSN and graduate program. The program is based on Seventh-day Adventist precepts and restoration in the Image of God. The program is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and accredited through the accreditation commission for education in Nursing.
School Overview
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor University is a religious university offering a BSN that focuses on a strong foundation in communication, critical thinking and leadership. The school has a clinical simulation lab to help with hands-on training and to assist in completing some clinical hours.
School Overview
Calvin University
At Calvin University, students attend a fully accredited nursing program with a quality reputation. It prepares students to take the NCLEX exam and then to graduate school or through a career in nursing. Some potential jobs include becoming a pediatric, OB or ER nurse.
School Overview
Alma College
Alma College’s BSN program provides students with hands-on experience with a simulation center and clinical floor for real patients. The program has an 83% pass rate for the nursing board exams and offers a four-year program for the BSN.
School Overview
Hope College
At Hope College, students can get their BSN in nursing through a Christian program. The program has a state-of-the-art simulation lab and practicum site locations to help with hands-on training. The school states that 100% of Registered Nurse graduate students are employed within a year of graduating, and 87% of students pass their NCLEX exam.
School Overview
Not sure which school is right for you? Check out more nursing schools in Michigan through our Degree Finder tool.
Ranking Specifications
In this article, we ranked the nursing schools by tuition rates and student-to-teacher ratios. While all attempts have been made to provide accurate information and the most up-to-date information, the rankings are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed.
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