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2023 Best Bachelor's Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
The Best Bachelor's Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 151 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Miami University - Hamilton the best school in the Great Lakes Region for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Hamilton, Ohio, the small public school awarded 411 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,704 in tuition and fees if they attend Miami University - Hamilton full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,490. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,929 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Miami University - Hamilton. In 2020-2021 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ottawa University - Milwaukee. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ottawa University - Milwaukee is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Brookfield, Wisconsin. It awarded 40 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Ottawa University - Milwaukee does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $12,676. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,339 in student loans.
Ottawa University - Milwaukee 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 2020-2021 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of St Francis. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of St Francis is a small private not-for-profit school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 437 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,804 in student loans.
University of Saint Francis does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Angola, Indiana, and it awarded 76 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Trine accumulate an average of $19,074 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Since Trine is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a medium-sized public school located in River Falls, Wisconsin that handed out 1,300 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Wisconsin who attend UW - River Falls full time pay an average of $8,135 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,128. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,247 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UW - River Falls. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #6, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. This large public school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 8,676 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Indiana who attend Purdue full time pay an average of $9,992 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $28,794. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Purdue accumulate an average of $18,439 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Purdue does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Wisconsin - Stout landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. UW - Stout is a public institution located in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,317 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $9,663 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UW - Stout. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,930. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,948 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UW - Stout. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the very small public school handed out 112 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,141 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out UWM Flexible Option. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Read full report on University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex
With a ranking of #9, Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 627 students in 2021-2022.
Illinois Tech does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $50,279. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,274 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Illinois Tech does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 40% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 2,315 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UW - Eau Claire is $8,914. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,627. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,634 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UW - Eau Claire does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Miami University - Middletown landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Middletown, Ohio, and it awarded 149 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,670 in tuition and fees if they attend Miami University - Middletown full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,390. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,961 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Miami University - Middletown 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 2020-2021 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ohio Northern University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Ada, Ohio, and it awarded 450 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend ONU, expect to pay an average of $36,530 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,252 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ONU. In fact, around 10% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 329 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago is $34,964. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,139 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Concordia University, Chicago. During the 2020-2021 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 2,139 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,232 in tuition and fees if they attend UW - La Crosse full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,051. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,591 in loans while pursuing their degree.
UW - La Crosse does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Platteville, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,415 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,862 in tuition and fees if they attend UW - Platteville full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,800. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UW - Platteville accumulate an average of $21,287 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that UW - Platteville does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 30% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #16 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Whitewater is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,187 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $7,864 in tuition and fees if they attend UW - Whitewater full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,039. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,074 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UW - Whitewater. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the medium-sized public school handed out 14 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Ohio who attend Cincinnati State full time pay an average of $5,274 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,558.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Cincinnati State. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Full Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Report
Michigan State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, the large public school awarded 9,247 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Michigan who attend Michigan State full time pay an average of $16,617 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $42,607. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,426 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Michigan State does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the large public school handed out 9,741 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UW - Madison is $10,796. Out-of-state students pay an average of $39,427. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,315 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UW - Madison. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 31% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #20, Marietta College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Marietta is a private not-for-profit institution located in Marietta, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 269 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $38,022 to cover tuition and fees at Marietta. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,312 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Viterbo University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Viterbo is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 404 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Viterbo is $31,150. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Viterbo accumulate an average of $23,799 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Viterbo does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Michigan Technological University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Michigan Tech is a medium-sized public school situated in Houghton, Michigan. It awarded 1,198 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Michigan who attend Michigan Tech full time pay an average of $18,910 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $41,247. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,990 in student loans.
Michigan Tech 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 9% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #23, Cardinal Stritch University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Cardinal Stritch is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 185 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Cardinal Stritch, expect to pay an average of $35,444 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Cardinal Stritch accumulate an average of $31,922 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Cardinal Stritch does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 28% took at least some of their classes online.
Marquette University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 2,470 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Marquette is $46,670. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Marquette accumulate an average of $21,073 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Marquette does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 21% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Trine University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Trine is located in Angola, Indiana and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 522 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend Trine, expect to pay an average of $34,890 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $19,940 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Trine does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 28% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
View Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >
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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