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Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

93 Schools Ranked
$24,846 Avg Student Debt

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Grad Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 93 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which online graduate certificate programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

DeVry University - Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
821 Total Awards
$17,552 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found DeVry University - Illinois to be the most popular school for students who want to pursue a graduate certificate in the Great Lakes Region . This large private for-profit school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 821 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 97% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on DeVry University - Illinois

#2

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
548 Total Awards
$10,144 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Ball State University is a great place for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Muncie, Indiana, the large public school awarded 548 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 91% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#3

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
402 Total Awards
$9,530 Average Tuition & Fees
$33,486 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend Purdue University Global. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University Global is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 402 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $33,486 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Purdue University Global is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read More…

#4

American College of Education

Indianapolis, Indiana
293 Total Awards
$6,600 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American College of Education. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 293 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

American College of Education is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on American College of Education

247 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you attend Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 247 students in 2020-2021.

Around 19% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 96% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management Report

#6

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
257 Total Awards

Michigan State University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, the large public school handed out 257 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 65% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Michigan State University

#7

Viterbo University

La Crosse, Wisconsin
285 Total Awards
$24,230 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Viterbo University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Viterbo is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 285 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Graduate Certificate recipients from Viterbo accumulate an average of $24,230 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Viterbo University

#8

Butler University

Indianapolis, Indiana
103 Total Awards
$27,365 Avg Student Debt

Butler University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 103 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,365 in student loans. Around 93% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 24% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Butler University Report

130 Total Awards
$9,831 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,107 Avg Student Debt

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, the fairly large public school handed out 130 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $23,107 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

#10

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, Michigan
93 Total Awards
$17,208 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Davenport University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 93 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

202 Total Awards
$9,720 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. This large public school is located in Athens, Ohio, and it awarded 202 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Report

#12

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
80 Total Awards
$13,839 Average Tuition & Fees

University of St Francis came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 80 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 89% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of St Francis Report

#13

Concordia University, Wisconsin

Mequon, Wisconsin
78 Total Awards
$11,760 Average Tuition & Fees

Concordia University, Wisconsin came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Concordia University, Wisconsin is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Mequon, Wisconsin that handed out 78 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 67% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#14

Michigan Technological University

Houghton, Michigan
103 Total Awards
$22,981 Average Tuition & Fees

Michigan Technological University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. Located in Houghton, Michigan, the medium-sized public school handed out 103 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 18% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 30% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#15

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
80 Total Awards
$9,378 Average Tuition & Fees

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 98% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Concordia University, Chicago

#16

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
245 Total Awards
$11,329 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 245 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Report

#17

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
87 Total Awards

With a ranking of #17, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 87 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 97% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Olivet Nazarene University

#18

Herzing University - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
62 Total Awards
$11,680 Average Tuition & Fees

Herzing University - Madison ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 62 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Herzing University - Madison. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read More…

123 Total Awards
$28,259 Avg Student Debt

Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Dayton, Ohio, the fairly large public school awarded 123 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Graduate Certificate recipients from Wright State University - Main Campus accumulate an average of $28,259 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 73% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#20

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
134 Total Awards
$12,096 Average Tuition & Fees

National Louis University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #20 on the list. National Louis University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 134 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 59% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full National Louis University Report

#21

Chamberlain University - Illinois

Addison, Illinois
71 Total Awards
$14,090 Average Tuition & Fees

Chamberlain University - Illinois came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Addison, Illinois, the large private for-profit school awarded 71 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Chamberlain - Illinois are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Full Chamberlain University - Illinois Report

#22

Rush University

Chicago, Illinois
41 Total Awards

Rush University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Rush University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 41 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.

Around 74% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Rush University

#23

Indiana University - East

Richmond, Indiana
40 Total Awards
$8,270 Average Tuition & Fees

Indiana University - East did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #23 on the list. IU East is located in Richmond, Indiana and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 89% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Indiana University - East

#24

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
39 Total Awards
$14,960 Average Tuition & Fees

Lewis University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Romeoville, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 39 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Lewis University

#25

Indiana Institute of Technology

Fort Wayne, Indiana
38 Total Awards

With a ranking of #25, Indiana Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 38 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Indiana Tech are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read More…

View Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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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