2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 185 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global the best school in the Great Lakes Region for students working on their associate degree.
If you want to attend IWU, expect to pay an average of $9,239 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $26,876 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at IWU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Purdue University - Main Campus is a great place for students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $9,992 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Purdue. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $28,794. Associate Degree recipients from Purdue accumulate an average of $26,254 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Purdue does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Rasmussen University - Illinois is a great place for students working on their associate degree.
Rasmussen University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,883. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $27,566 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rasmussen University - Illinois does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Madison Area Technical College is a great place for students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,600 in tuition and fees if they attend Madison College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,769. On average, associate degree students take out $21,947 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Madison College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Fox Valley Technical College is a great place for students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at FVTC is $4,746. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,861. Associate Degree recipients from FVTC accumulate an average of $15,318 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at FVTC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 42% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Southwest Tech is $4,571. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,683. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,718 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Southwest Tech. During the 2019-2020 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Herzing University - Akron came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $14,200 to cover tuition and fees at Herzing Akron. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,509 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Herzing Akron does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
William Rainey Harper College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,870 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Harper College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,682. Associate Degree recipients from Harper College accumulate an average of $15,799 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Harper College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Macomb Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list.
Full-time students from Michigan pay an average of $6,090 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Macomb Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,680. Associate Degree recipients from Macomb Community College accumulate an average of $11,249 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Macomb Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees if they attend CVTC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,683. On average, associate degree students take out $20,208 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at CVTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $5,040 in tuition and fees if they attend Cincinnati State full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,090. Associate Degree recipients from Cincinnati State accumulate an average of $19,224 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Cincinnati State does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Full Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Report
Herzing University - Madison landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
If you want to attend Herzing University - Madison, expect to pay an average of $14,200 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Herzing University - Madison accumulate an average of $33,029 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Herzing University - Madison does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #13, Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
One thing to take note of is that Trine does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #14, Ohio Christian University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $14,395 to cover tuition and fees at OCU. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $27,951 in loans while pursuing their degree.
OCU does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #15, The University of Findlay did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
Findlay does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $37,188. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Findlay does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 35% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $12,860. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Wisconsin accumulate an average of $27,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $4,637 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Ivy Tech Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,927. On average, associate degree students take out $15,984 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Ivy Tech Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $6,840 in tuition and fees if they attend LLCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,068. Associate Degree recipients from LLCC accumulate an average of $16,056 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at LLCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Western Technical College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Students from Wisconsin who attend Western Technical College full time pay an average of $4,572 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,687. Associate Degree recipients from Western Technical College accumulate an average of $18,870 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Western Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Concordia University, Wisconsin ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Concordia University, Wisconsin does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $31,952. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Concordia University, Wisconsin does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 41% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #21 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Associate Degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District accumulate an average of $16,998 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Cuyahoga Community College District, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.
DeVry University - Illinois ranked #22 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $15,032 to cover tuition and fees at DeVry University - Illinois. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $35,424 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at DeVry University - Illinois. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list.
On average, associate degree students take out $9,601 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Harold Washington College. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Students from Wisconsin who attend WCTC full time pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,603. Associate Degree recipients from WCTC accumulate an average of $20,402 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
WCTC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 17% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Elgin Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Students from Illinois who attend ECC full time pay an average of $7,140 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,516. On average, associate degree students take out $16,016 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that ECC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 74% took at least some of their classes online.
Rest of the Top 15% Best Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 28 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Best Associate Degree Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point | Stevens Point, WI |
| 30 | University of Northwestern Ohio | Lima, OH |
| 31 | Purdue University Global | Indianapolis, IN |
| 32 | James A Rhodes State College | Lima, OH |
| 33 | University of Cincinnati - Clermont College | Batavia, OH |
| 34 | Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion, IN |
| 35 | National Louis University | Chicago, IL |
| 36 | Northcentral Technical College | Wausau, WI |
| 37 | Ferris State University | Big Rapids, MI |
| 38 | Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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