RN Programs in Illinois
Illinois RN Programs at a Glance
RN Programs Offered in Illinois
- ADN Programs: 44
- BSN Programs: 30
ADN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 86%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 55% to 96%
- Average Net-Price $6,216.46
- Net-Price Range: $3,167.00 to $19,642.00
- Average Student Loan: $5,762.85
BSN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 89%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 73% to 97%
- Average Net-Price $19,707.45
- Net-Price Range: $10,203.00 to $29,184.00
- Average Student Loan: $21,735.96
Help You Will Find on This Page
Illinois RN Program Guide
Coursework in RN and BSN programs in Illinois build upon your prior learning and nursing experience, and provide opportunities for individualized study in your area of interest. Healthcare reform, increasingly complex medical technology and computerized healthcare have raised the bar for nurses, making an advanced education in nursing a very valuable asset.
In our Illinois RN program guide, you will find both ADN and BSN Degree program rankings, tuition costs, enrollment information, NCLEX passing rates, and more. You will find key Illinois RN Program information to help you compare programs metrics and apply to best RN program(s) for the advancement of your career.
The State of Illinois offers 83 RN programs in 60 different cities. Public institutions offer 50 of the RN programs in the state while there are 3 private, for-profit and 30 private, not-for-profit schools that make up the rest.
In the State of Illinois, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate’s degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program are able to then obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties.
What is the best RN program for you to attend? Your sweet spot might be the least expensive school with the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate. Or, it might the school that offers the best NCLEX-RN passing rate no matter the total cost of attendance. You may also want to consider schools with the highest enrollment rate so that you can collaborate with fellow students and have a large alumni to connect with after graduation.
Find your ideal program from information and data in our guide to Illinois RN Programs.
Accredited RN Programs in Illinois
Nursing school accreditation is very important to consider when deciding which RN program to attend. If you ever plan to continue your education, the academic credits from an accredited program are more easily accepted or transferred between accredited college programs. Some employers will prefer to hire nurses from an accredited program.
The two primary accrediting agencies for nursing programs are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), We recommend that you attend a nursing program that is active and current in their accreditation status. Find those programs in our ranking guide below.
ADN Programs in Illinois
Illinois has many education programs for nursing students. Their is a multitude of colleges located in urban Chicago and in community colleges in outlying areas of the state. Many of the colleges offer RN programs. Community colleges in Illinois also often partner with neighboring universities and colleges to offer “bridge” programs, which allows a recent RN graduate to “bridge” into a BSN program.
NCLEX Passing Rates for Illinois ADN Programs
McHenry County College has the highest NCLEX-RN rate in Illinois of 96.00%. Attending this stellar school will cost you about $6,780.00 a year.
- ADN Programs Offered in Illinois: 44
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 86.50%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 54.75% to 96.00%
How Much Do ADN Programs Cost in Illinois?
We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Illinois so that you can find RN programs to meet your budget expectations.
When comparing ADN vs BSN programs, the average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.
The lowest cost ADN program in Illinois is offered by Morton College at about $3,167.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 82.88%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by Robert Morris University Illinois and it will cost about $19,642.00.
- Average Net-Price for ADN Programs inIllinois: $6,216.46
- Net-Price Range for Illinois ADN Programs: $3,167.00 to $19,642.00
Median Student Borrowing for ADN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Illinois Schools: $5,762.85
- Student borrowing range for ADN programs in Illinois: $3,344.00 to $20,000.00
ADN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 40
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 2
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 2
BSN Programs in Illinois
Coursework in BSN programs builds knowledge gained from nursing experience and helps provide individualized study in an area of interest. The healthcare reform, complex medical technology, and computerized healthcare have made higher education in nursing essential to be a success in the industry. BSN programs in Illinois offer a wide selection of hospital and outpatient settings. This can enhance nursing practice and provide a foundation for leadership positions. Courses that are common in BSN programs may include (but are not limited to):
- Leadership, management, and professional roles in nursing
- Advanced practice studies in a choice of areas or concentration
- Cultural aspects of healthcare for individuals, families, and populations
NCLEX Passing Rates for Illinois BSN Programs
Lewis University wins the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate for BSN programs offered in Illinois with a score of 96.75%. Attending this influential program will cost you about $19,015.00 a year.
- BSN Programs Offered in Illinois: 30
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 88.66%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 73.00% to 96.75%
How Much Do BSN Degree Programs Cost in Illinois?
We compiled the net-price costs for BSN Programs in Illinois to give you an idea of how much nursing school will cost.
The lowest cost BSN degree program in Illinois is offered by Chicago State University and will cost you about $10,203.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 81.00%. The highest cost BSN degree program is offered by Loyola University Chicago and will cost you about $29,184.00 and it has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 90.50%.
- Average Net-Price for BSN Programs in Illinois: $19,707.45
- Net-Price Range for Illinois BSN Programs: $10,203.00 to $29,184.00
Median Student Borrowing for BSN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Illinois Schools: $21,735.96
- Student borrowing range for BSN programs in Illinois: $16,062.00 to $27,000.00
BSN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 5
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 1
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 24
MSN Programs in Illinois
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Illinois offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
Learn about the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Online Programs in Illinois
Today, there are very few disadvantages to earning an online RN degree. With advances in online learning coupled the need to educate more nurses because of the nursing shortage, many nursing schools are offing online nursing programs.
For nurses needing to complete clinicals, nursing programs usually help a nurse to find one.
Be sure to choose an accredited program that meets quality standards set by either the ACEN or CCNE accrediting agencies. An accredited online RN Nursing program will help ensure that your units pass can transfer to another accredited college and help you in gain employment. Learn more about online RN programs.
Illinois RN Licensing Requirements
RN Licensure by Exam
After graduation a candidate can apply for the exam and licensing. This can be completed online. The application and fee is sent to through an outside agency called Continental Testing Services for a $91 fee. There is also a paper application available. Prior to receiving authorization to participate in the exam, candidates must submit proof of graduation. An official transcript will be required eventually but the process can be quickened the process by providing the correct documentation. Fingerprints will be required. This is a step that can be completed within 60 days in advance.
Registration to the exam itself is completed through the Pearson VUE website and requires a $200 fee. When a nursing candidate has passed a licensing exam they will be able to practice under appropriate supervision as a “license pending” nurse. This cannot be done, however, until the candidate receives an authorization letter. The exam must be passed within three years of the time they apply for the Board; otherwise, two years of nursing school will be required.
RN Licensure by Endorsement
Candidates who obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states need license verification from the state in which they are licensed. This includes the current state and other states in which the nurse has practice in the most recent five year around. NCLEX results may be provided by the state of original licensure or by Pearson VUE. Endorsement candidates may obtain a temporary license in favor of beginning work before the paperwork is processed. The endorsement application fee is $50 but is $75 for a temporary license.
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
Eligible foreign nurses may obtain licensing in Illinois as long as they are license in their country and met all other requirements. There must be a credential report for one or two approved agencies. Credentials or documentation that are not in English must be sent with a certified translation. Candidates who do not speak English as a first language must complete the TOEFL or IELTS Academic Module. This requirement may be waived for a nurse who completed a program or took a licensing exam in English.
Helpful Nursing Resources
- Registered Nurse (RN) Salary
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Salary
- Transfer RN License Between States
RN Salaries in Illinois
Nurses who have completed a RN to BSN program are commonly sought out by prospective employers and offered a wider range of career choices. Both hospitals and non-hospitals positions in Illinois for nurses with BSNs include:
- RN educators for faculty, academic advising, and clinical preceptors
- Labor and delivery, intensive care, and OBGYN
- Intervention catheter labs, emergency department, and PACU
The complexity of care for an increasingly older population requires advanced training for effective nursing care. The nurses in Illinois earn an average salary of $66,730 annually.
Illinois Registered Nursing Salaries
You will see in this table that the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville metropolitan area has the highest employment rate as well as hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
| Area name | Employment | Hourly median wage | Annual median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington-Normal, IL | 1,380 | $28.02 | $58,290 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 2,390 | $27.79 | $57,800 |
| Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL Metropolitan Division | 69,750 | $34.67 | $72,100 |
| Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL-IN-WI | 81,780 | $34.21 | $71,150 |
| Danville, IL | 550 | $28.47 | $59,220 |
| Decatur, IL | 1,400 | $24.01 | $49,940 |
| Kankakee-Bradley, IL | 1,340 | $33.23 | $69,110 |
| Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division | 5,700 | $32.81 | $68,250 |
| Peoria, IL | 4,790 | $26.68 | $55,490 |
| Rockford, IL | 3,830 | $27.86 | $57,940 |
| Springfield, IL | 2,950 | $29.45 | $61,250 |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | 2,720 | $25.12 | $52,240 |
| West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | 3,870 | $24.80 | $51,580 |
| East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | 2,430 | $23.24 | $48,350 |
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | 3,860 | $26.56 | $55,240 |
Source: http://www.dol.gov/, 2014 Data
Best RN Programs in Illinois
Ranked Schools: 38
Evaluated Schools: 44
One of the best measures of a nursing program’s ability to prepare its students to become a registered nurse is to look at an institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates. We went directly to Illinois’s state board of nursing to find, report and rank the best Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs Illinois.
With more than 44 Illinois associate degree in nursing programs to choose from, we hope to provide some of the critical information you need before applying to a ADN program. We ranked the top 44 ADN degree programs in the Illinois. Research the best BSN Degrees Illinois.
For information about how we rank RN programs, please see our ranking methodology.
RANKED 1
ADN
Overall Score: 96.52%
Southeastern Illinois College
- 3575 College Road, Harrisburg, IL - 62946
- (618) 252-5400
Southeastern Illinois College is located in Harrisburg, Illinois. They offer an ADN program. In addition, they have partnered with six other colleges to offer an online LPN to RN program, which is called the Southern Illinois Online Nursing Initiative (SIONI). The program is offered exclusively online, with the exception of the clinical portions of the program.
- Campus: Harrisburg, IL
- Net Price: $7,403.00
- Enrollment: 1,930
- Transfer Out Rate: 27.40%
- Loan Default Rate: 14.20%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 20.18%
- Graduation Rate: 23.90%
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 2
ADN
Overall Score: 95.70%
McHenry County College
- 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, IL - 60012-2761
- (815) 455-3700
McHenry County College is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Their nursing department offers an AAS degree and an LPN to AAS degree. McHenry County College also offers an RN to BSN Partnership Program with Aurora University – Woodstock Center. If enrolled in this program, McHenry nursing students will have direct admission to Aurora’s RN to BSN program.
- Campus: Crystal Lake, IL
- Net Price: $6,780.00
- Enrollment: 7,023
- Transfer Out Rate: 31.00%
- Loan Default Rate: 15.80%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 103.30%
- Graduation Rate: 24.10%
- Median Borrowing: $4,500.00
- Median Payment: $46.99
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 3
ADN
Overall Score: 94.56%
John A Logan College
- 700 Logan College Road, Carterville, IL - 62918-2500
- (618) 985-3741
John A. Logan College is located in Carterville, Illinois. They offer an ADN program. They also offer an LPN to ADN program, which is a “hybrid” program – it is offered partially online and partially on-campus. Whereas some LPN to ADN programs require a certain amount of nursing experience prior to admission, John A. Logan’s nursing program requires that the NCLEX-PN has been passed prior to applying to their program.
- Campus: Carterville, IL
- Net Price: $4,313.00
- Enrollment: 7,150
- Transfer Out Rate: 21.90%
- Loan Default Rate: 20.10%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 32.63%
- Graduation Rate: 25.60%
- Median Borrowing: $3,500.00
- Median Payment: $36.54
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 4
ADN
Overall Score: 94.30%
Joliet Junior College
- 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL - 60431-8938
- (815) 729-9020
Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, Illinois. The College of Nursing at Joliet Junior College offers a practical nursing program, a military corpsman to practical nurse program, an RN program and an LPN transition to RN program. Their LPN to RN program is competitive and their admission requirements are more rigorous than other LPN to RN programs; for example, an exam that predicts success on the NCLEX-RN must be taken prior to admittance into the program.
- Campus: Joliet, IL
- Net Price: $4,948.00
- Enrollment: 16,869
- Transfer Out Rate: 35.30%
- Loan Default Rate: 18.90%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -15.84%
- Graduation Rate: 12.60%
- Median Borrowing: $5,000.00
- Median Payment: $52.21
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 5
ADN
Overall Score: 93.85%
Waubonsee Community College
- Rte 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL - 60554-9454
- (630) 466-7900
Waubonsee Community College is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois. They offer an RN program. They also offer an RN to BSN program, in partnership with Governors State College. Waubonsee Community College enrolled its first RN students in 1970. Today, it graduates approximately 144 students per year.
- Campus: Sugar Grove, IL
- Net Price: $5,604.00
- Enrollment: 10,721
- Transfer Out Rate: 23.90%
- Loan Default Rate: 18.00%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 14.98%
- Graduation Rate: 30.10%
- Median Borrowing: $5,250.00
- Median Payment: $54.82
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 6
ADN
Overall Score: 93.85%
Kishwaukee College
- 21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL - 60150-9699
- (815) 825-2086
Kishwaukee College is located in Malta, Illinois. Their nursing program began in 1970, but evolved into an RN program in 1975. They graduate 80 new RNs yearly. At this time, their program is strictly an RN program, without an LPN to RN option.
- Campus: Malta, IL
- Net Price: $6,824.00
- Enrollment: 4,717
- Transfer Out Rate: 31.30%
- Loan Default Rate: 20.70%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 13.21%
- Graduation Rate: 18.50%
- Median Borrowing: $5,500.00
- Median Payment: $57.43
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 7
ADN
Overall Score: 93.37%
Heartland Community College
- 1500 West Raab Road, Normal, IL - 61761-9446
- (309) 268-8000
- Campus: Normal, IL
- Net Price: $6,507.00
- Enrollment: 5,215
- Transfer Out Rate: 26.40%
- Loan Default Rate: 22.30%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 7.48%
- Graduation Rate: 22.70%
- Median Borrowing: $5,025.00
- Median Payment: $52.47
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 8
ADN
Overall Score: 92.48%
Lincoln Land Community College
- 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL - 62794-9256
- (217) 786-2200
- Campus: Springfield, IL
- Net Price: $5,001.00
- Enrollment: 7,020
- Transfer Out Rate: 18.70%
- Loan Default Rate: 16.40%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -30.69%
- Graduation Rate: 25.30%
- Median Borrowing: $5,500.00
- Median Payment: $57.43
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 9
ADN
Overall Score: 91.85%
South Suburban College
- 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL - 60473-1200
- (708) 596-2000
- Campus: South Holland, IL
- Net Price: $4,091.00
- Enrollment: 5,212
- Transfer Out Rate: 36.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 8.31%
- Graduation Rate: 21.50%
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 10
ADN
Overall Score: 91.56%
Illinois Valley Community College
- 815 N Orlando Smith Ave, Oglesby, IL - 61348-9692
- (815) 224-2720
Illinois Valley Community College is located in Oglesby, Illinois. Their nursing program offers an RN option and an Advanced Placement for LPNs. The advanced placement option allows the LPN to become an RN in three semesters. They require that LPNs have a minimum of one year of work experience prior to admittance into the program.
- Campus: Oglesby, IL
- Net Price: $6,601.00
- Enrollment: 3,705
- Transfer Out Rate: 22.60%
- Loan Default Rate: 19.40%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 7.82%
- Graduation Rate: 30.10%
- Median Borrowing: $7,015.00
- Median Payment: $73.24
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 11
ADN
Overall Score: 91.07%
Black Hawk College
- 6600-34th Avenue, Moline, IL - 61265-5899
- (309) 796-5000
- Campus: Moline, IL
- Net Price: $5,088.00
- Enrollment: 6,574
- Transfer Out Rate: 25.30%
- Loan Default Rate: 13.10%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -13.32%
- Graduation Rate: 18.70%
- Median Borrowing: $3,562.00
- Median Payment: $37.19
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 12
ADN
Overall Score: 91.00%
Oakton Community College
- 1600 E Golf Rd., Des Plaines, IL - 60016-1268
- (847) 635-1600
Oakton Community College is located in Des Plaines, Illinois. There is also a campus in Skokie, Illinois. They offer an RN program and an LPN to RN bridge program. The RN program is offered twice yearly, whereas the bridge program is only offered once per year. The LPN seeking entrance into their program must have a minimum of two years of nursing experience prior to admission.
- Campus: Des Plaines, IL
- Net Price: $5,448.00
- Enrollment: 10,866
- Transfer Out Rate: 34.80%
- Loan Default Rate: 11.60%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 12.61%
- Graduation Rate: 14.40%
- Median Borrowing: $3,678.00
- Median Payment: $38.40
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 13
ADN
Overall Score: 90.74%
Harper College
- 1200 W Algonquin Rd, Palatine, IL - 60067-7398
- (847) 925-6000
Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois. Their nursing department graduated their first RNs in 1967. They offer a practical nursing program, and RN program and an RN to BSN completion program. Harper College is partnered with Benedictine University to offer the RN to BSN program on the Harper College campus for its RNs.
- Campus: Palatine, IL
- Net Price: $7,104.00
- Enrollment: 14,830
- Transfer Out Rate: 29.40%
- Loan Default Rate: 20.20%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 23.79%
- Graduation Rate: 24.10%
- Median Borrowing: $7,080.00
- Median Payment: $73.92
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 14
ADN
Overall Score: 90.00%
Ambria College of Nursing
- 5210 Trillium Blvd, Hoffman Estates, IL - 60192
- (847) 397-0300
- Campus: Hoffman Estates, IL
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private For-Profit
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 15
ADN
Overall Score: 89.89%
Kaskaskia College
- 27210 College Rd, Centralia, IL - 62801
- (618) 545-3000
- Campus: Centralia, IL
- Net Price: $5,741.00
- Enrollment: 5,258
- Transfer Out Rate: 16.20%
- Loan Default Rate: 31.30%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 44.32%
- Graduation Rate: 46.20%
- Median Borrowing: $5,500.00
- Median Payment: $57.43
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 16
ADN
Overall Score: 89.00%
Highland Community College
- 2998 W Pearl City Rd, Freeport, IL - 61032-9341
- (815) 235-6121
- Campus: Freeport, IL
- Net Price: $5,350.00
- Enrollment: 2,031
- Transfer Out Rate: 21.10%
- Loan Default Rate: 24.10%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 16.20%
- Graduation Rate: 36.60%
- Median Borrowing: $5,500.00
- Median Payment: $57.43
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 17
ADN
Overall Score: 88.70%
Spoon River College
- 23235 North County 22, Canton, IL - 61520-8622
- (309) 647-4645
- Campus: Canton, IL
- Net Price: $9,987.00
- Enrollment: 1,784
- Transfer Out Rate: 28.90%
- Loan Default Rate: 18.20%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 6.94%
- Graduation Rate: 22.10%
- Median Borrowing: $4,500.00
- Median Payment: $46.99
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 18
ADN
Overall Score: 88.56%
Southwestern Illinois College
- 2500 Carlyle Ave, Belleville, IL - 62221-5899
- (618) 235-2700
Southwestern Illinois College has locations in Belleville, Granite City and Red Bud, Illinois. They offer an RN program. They also have an LPN Articulation program. This program allows LPNs to take prerequisite classes as required; if all classes are passed successfully in the allotted time frame, “escrowed” credits will be awarded. If the LPN does not want to go through this process, they may opt to enroll in the general RN program.
- Campus: Belleville, IL
- Net Price: $7,555.00
- Enrollment: 11,332
- Transfer Out Rate: 19.30%
- Loan Default Rate: 22.90%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 31.64%
- Graduation Rate: 27.20%
- Median Borrowing: $3,500.00
- Median Payment: $36.54
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 19
ADN
Overall Score: 88.44%
Kankakee Community College
- 100 College Drive, Kankakee, IL - 60901
- (815) 802-8100
- Campus: Kankakee, IL
- Net Price: $5,582.00
- Enrollment: 3,825
- Transfer Out Rate: 23.90%
- Loan Default Rate: 15.10%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -6.31%
- Graduation Rate: 19.70%
- Median Borrowing: $5,500.00
- Median Payment: $57.43
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 20
ADN
Overall Score: 88.00%
Sauk Valley Community College
- 173 Illinois Rt 2, Dixon, IL - 61021-9112
- (815) 288-5511
- Campus: Dixon, IL
- Net Price: $5,802.00
- Enrollment: 2,220
- Transfer Out Rate: 25.80%
- Loan Default Rate: 17.30%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -18.48%
- Graduation Rate: 29.00%
- Median Borrowing: $3,500.00
- Median Payment: $36.54
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 21
ADN
Overall Score: 87.44%
John Wood Community College
- 1301 S 48th Street, Quincy, IL - 62305-8736
- (217) 224-6500
- Campus: Quincy, IL
- Net Price: $7,175.00
- Enrollment: 1,923
- Transfer Out Rate: 16.00%
- Loan Default Rate: 15.70%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 6.33%
- Graduation Rate: 30.80%
- Median Borrowing: $6,317.00
- Median Payment: $65.96
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 22
ADN
Overall Score: 86.63%
Elgin Community College
- 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, IL - 60123-7193
- (847) 697-1000
Elgin Community College is located in Elgin, Illinois. Elgin Community College has a variety of degree options; many of these associate’s degrees are designed so that after completion, the graduate can enter a university seamlessly and complete their bachelor’s degree. They offer an RN program and offer their students guidance throughout the program, should they want to complete a BSN degree after graduation.
- Campus: Elgin, IL
- Net Price: $4,548.00
- Enrollment: 11,285
- Transfer Out Rate: 21.50%
- Loan Default Rate: 20.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -39.95%
- Graduation Rate: 28.70%
- Median Borrowing: $5,052.00
- Median Payment: $52.75
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 23
ADN
Overall Score: 86.63%
Lake Land College
- 5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL - 61938
- (217) 234-5253
Lake Land College is located in Mattoon, Illinois. They offer an RN program. They do not offer a specific LPN to RN program; however, LPNs are welcome to apply to their program. LPNs who apply and are accepted may then apply for a waiver to pass out of certain classes.
- Campus: Mattoon, IL
- Net Price: $4,968.00
- Enrollment: 6,351
- Transfer Out Rate: 18.50%
- Loan Default Rate: 24.90%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 13.14%
- Graduation Rate: 29.90%
- Median Borrowing: $3,485.00
- Median Payment: $36.39
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 24
ADN
Overall Score: 86.59%
Shawnee Community College
- 8364 Shawnee College Rd, Ullin, IL - 62992
- (618) 634-3200
- Campus: Ullin, IL
- Net Price: $12,302.00
- Enrollment: 1,834
- Transfer Out Rate: 36.40%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 40.93%
- Graduation Rate: 28.00%
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 25
ADN
Overall Score: 86.22%
Rock Valley College
- 3301 N Mulford Rd, Rockford, IL - 61114-5699
- (815) 921-7821
Rock Valley College is located in Rockford, Illinois. They offer an AAS RN degree. Rock Valley College also has a partnership with five local universities (Indiana-Wesleyan University, Northern Illinois University, Olivet-Nazarene University, St. Anthony College of Nursing and University of Illinois in Chicago); these universities offer RN to BSN programs that Rock Valley College RN graduates may attend after passing their NCLEX-RN.
- Campus: Rockford, IL
- Net Price: $5,022.00
- Enrollment: 8,150
- Transfer Out Rate: 21.00%
- Loan Default Rate: 19.70%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 15.82%
- Graduation Rate: 22.10%
- Median Borrowing: $3,500.00
- Median Payment: $36.54
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 26
ADN
Overall Score: 85.78%
Richland Community College
- One College Pk, Decatur, IL - 62521-8512
- (217) 875-7200
- Campus: Decatur, IL
- Net Price: $5,911.00
- Enrollment: 3,340
- Transfer Out Rate: 17.10%
- Loan Default Rate: 18.00%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 5.18%
- Graduation Rate: 21.10%
- Median Borrowing: $4,263.00
- Median Payment: $44.51
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 27
ADN
Overall Score: 85.11%
College of Lake County
- 19351 W Washington St., Grayslake, IL - 60030-1198
- (847) 543-2000
- Campus: Grayslake, IL
- Net Price: $4,199.00
- Enrollment: 17,685
- Transfer Out Rate: 24.50%
- Loan Default Rate: 15.40%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -10.05%
- Graduation Rate: 16.70%
- Median Borrowing: $4,500.00
- Median Payment: $46.99
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 28
ADN
Overall Score: 85.00%
Moraine Valley Community College
- 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills, IL - 60465-0937
- (708) 974-4300
- Campus: Palos Hills, IL
- Net Price: $4,488.00
- Enrollment: 16,106
- Transfer Out Rate: 29.10%
- Loan Default Rate: 9.20%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -13.63%
- Graduation Rate: 20.50%
- Median Borrowing: $5,500.00
- Median Payment: $57.43
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 29
ADN
Overall Score: 84.74%
Prairie State College
- 202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, IL - 60411-8226
- (708) 709-3500
Prairie State College is located in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Their nursing department offers an ADN degree and a bridge option for licensed practical nurses. LPNs may enter the generic ADN program if there are not enough seats available in the bridge program for the amount of applicants.
- Campus: Chicago Heights, IL
- Net Price: $6,262.00
- Enrollment: 5,064
- Transfer Out Rate: 35.10%
- Loan Default Rate: 15.60%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 56.39%
- Graduation Rate: 12.90%
- Median Borrowing: $5,500.00
- Median Payment: $57.43
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 30
ADN
Overall Score: 83.07%
Triton College
- 2000 5th Ave, River Grove, IL - 60171-1995
- (708) 456-0300
- Campus: River Grove, IL
- Net Price: $4,557.00
- Enrollment: 11,225
- Transfer Out Rate: 26.40%
- Loan Default Rate: 10.90%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 13.25%
- Graduation Rate: 14.70%
- Median Borrowing: $4,924.00
- Median Payment: $51.41
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 31
ADN
Overall Score: 82.37%
Lewis and Clark Community College
- 5800 Godfrey Rd, Godfrey, IL - 62035
- (618) 468-7000
- Campus: Godfrey, IL
- Net Price: $4,383.00
- Enrollment: 8,520
- Transfer Out Rate: 29.80%
- Loan Default Rate: 13.90%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -10.00%
- Graduation Rate: 13.40%
- Median Borrowing: $3,500.00
- Median Payment: $36.54
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 32
ADN
Overall Score: 81.30%
Parkland College
- 2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL - 61821-1899
- (217) 351-2200
Parkland College is located in Champaign, Illinois. Their nursing program has multiple options – an ADN program, an LPN to ADN bridge program and a paramedic to ADN bridge program. The paramedic to ADN bridge program builds on clinical work experience; the program is designed to “…fill in the gaps, so you would not need everything a student starting from the beginning needs to be able to graduate and take the NCLEX.”
- Campus: Champaign, IL
- Net Price: $5,546.00
- Enrollment: 8,437
- Transfer Out Rate: 35.10%
- Loan Default Rate: 25.60%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 9.52%
- Graduation Rate: 16.30%
- Median Borrowing: $5,250.00
- Median Payment: $54.82
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 33
ADN
Overall Score: 77.59%
Morton College
- 3801 S Central Ave, Cicero, IL - 60804-4398
- (708) 656-8000
- Campus: Cicero, IL
- Net Price: $3,167.00
- Enrollment: 4,886
- Transfer Out Rate: 21.50%
- Loan Default Rate: 18.80%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -9.31%
- Graduation Rate: 15.00%
- Median Borrowing: $5,876.00
- Median Payment: $61.35
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 34
ADN
Overall Score: 77.52%
Carl Sandburg College
- 2400 Tom L. Wilson Boulevard, Galesburg, IL - 61401
- (309) 344-2518
- Campus: Galesburg, IL
- Net Price: $4,014.00
- Enrollment: 2,328
- Transfer Out Rate: 24.90%
- Loan Default Rate: 20.20%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 17.40%
- Graduation Rate: 25.70%
- Median Borrowing: $3,500.00
- Median Payment: $36.54
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 35
ADN
Overall Score: 77.15%
Illinois Central College
- 1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL - 61635-0001
- (309) 694-5422
- Campus: East Peoria, IL
- Net Price: $6,123.00
- Enrollment: 10,770
- Transfer Out Rate: 20.00%
- Loan Default Rate: 26.30%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 34.96%
- Graduation Rate: 23.20%
- Median Borrowing: $4,250.00
- Median Payment: $44.37
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 36
ADN
Overall Score: 76.67%
College of DuPage
- 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL - 60137-6599
- (630) 942-2800
- Campus: Glen Ellyn, IL
- Net Price: $7,052.00
- Enrollment: 28,627
- Transfer Out Rate: 30.70%
- Loan Default Rate: 13.40%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 27.41%
- Graduation Rate: 15.90%
- Median Borrowing: $5,990.00
- Median Payment: $62.54
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 37
ADN
Overall Score: 76.07%
Danville Area Community College
- 2000 E Main St, Danville, IL - 61832-5118
- (217) 443-3222
- Campus: Danville, IL
- Net Price: $7,778.00
- Enrollment: 4,035
- Transfer Out Rate: 20.50%
- Loan Default Rate: 18.20%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 45.06%
- Graduation Rate: 28.70%
- Median Borrowing: $3,500.00
- Median Payment: $36.54
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED 38
ADN
Overall Score: 65.37%
Northwestern College-Southwestern Campus
- 7725 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL - 60455
- (708) 237-5050
- Campus: Bridgeview, IL
- Enrollment: 756
- Loan Default Rate: 16.40%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private For-Profit
- Graduation Rate: 66.90%
- Median Borrowing: $19,841.00
- Median Payment: $207.16
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED N/A*
ADN
Overall Score: N/A*
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College
- 4300 N Narragansett, Chicago, IL - 60634-1500
- (773) 777-7900
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Net Price: $4,414.00
- Enrollment: 12,640
- Transfer Out Rate: 24.00%
- Loan Default Rate: 37.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 7.87%
- Graduation Rate: 13.90%
- Median Borrowing: $3,344.00
- Median Payment: $34.92
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED N/A*
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: N/A*
Robert Morris University Illinois
- 401 S State Street, Chicago, IL - 60605
- (312) 935-6800
Robert Morris University Illinois is located in Chicago, Illinois. They are able to boast that their graduation rate is in the top 5 amongst private universities in Illinois. Their department of nursing offers a BSN degree and an ASN degree.
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Net Price: $19,642.00
- Enrollment: 2,781
- Loan Default Rate: 5.80%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 8.18%
- Graduation Rate: 80.00%
- Median Borrowing: $20,000.00
- Median Payment: $208.82
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED N/A*
ADN
Overall Score: N/A*
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College
- 1900 W Van Buren, Chicago, IL - 60612-3197
- (312) 850-7000
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Net Price: $7,090.00
- Enrollment: 6,842
- Transfer Out Rate: 25.00%
- Loan Default Rate: 18.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -4.19%
- Graduation Rate: 8.40%
- Median Borrowing: $3,500.00
- Median Payment: $36.54
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN
RANKED N/A*
ADN
Overall Score: N/A*
City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College
- 1145 W Wilson Ave., Chicago, IL - 60640-6063
- (773) 907-4000
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Net Price: $5,510.00
- Enrollment: 11,800
- Transfer Out Rate: 32.90%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -12.51%
- Graduation Rate: 11.80%
- Median Borrowing: $5,250.00
- Median Payment: $54.82
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED N/A*
ADN
Overall Score: N/A*
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
- 7500 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL - 60652-1299
- (773) 838-7500
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Net Price: $4,995.00
- Enrollment: 9,384
- Transfer Out Rate: 24.30%
- Loan Default Rate: 5.40%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 6.32%
- Graduation Rate: 8.20%
- Median Borrowing: $3,500.00
- Median Payment: $36.54
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED N/A*
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: N/A*
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- 2122 - 25th Avenue, Rock Island, IL - 61201-5317
- (309) 779-7700
Trinity College or Nursing and Health Sciences is located in Rock Island, Illinois. This college is unique in that it is small and houses only health science degrees – nursing (associates of nursing, bachelor’s of nursing, master’s of nursing, bachelor of science in health science, associate of applied science in radiography, and associated of applied science in respiratory therapy). They also offer the EDGE Program, which allows high school seniors early entry into their programs.
- Campus: Rock Island, IL
- Enrollment: 234
- Loan Default Rate: 6.00%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Graduation Rate: 66.70%
- Median Borrowing: $16,562.00
- Median Payment: $172.93
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, Masters
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
Sources: The State Board of Nursing from Each State, U.S. Department of Education: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education – OPE, National Center for Education Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nursing Specialties: Nursing Specialties | RN Salary Guide: Registered Nurse Salary | LPN Salary Guide: LPN Salary | Online Associates Nursing Program | Nursing Schools in Arizona | Nursing Schools in Maryland | RN Programs in the United States | For information about how we rank RN programs, please see our ranking methodology.
Helpful Nursing Resources
Ranked Schools: 29
Evaluated Schools: 30
One of the best measures of a nursing program’s ability to prepare its students to become a registered nurse is to look at an institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates. We went directly to Illinois’s state board of nursing to find, report and rank the best BSN degree programs Illinois.
With more than 30 Illinois BSN degree programs to choose from, we hope to provide you some of the critical information you may need before applying to a BSN degree program. We ranked the top 30 BSN degree programs in the Colorado. Research the best ADN Programs in Illinois.
For information about how we rank RN programs, please see our ranking methodology.
RANKED 1
BSN
Overall Score: 98.89%
Trinity Christian College
- 6601 W College Dr, Palos Heights, IL - 60463-0929
- (708) 597-3000
- Campus: Palos Heights, IL
- Net Price: $21,396.00
- Enrollment: 1,333
- Loan Default Rate: 6.00%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: -8.78%
- Graduation Rate: 58.20%
- Median Borrowing: $23,229.00
- Median Payment: $242.54
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 2
BSN
Overall Score: 98.22%
MacMurray College
- 447 East College Ave, Jacksonville, IL - 62650-2590
- (217) 479-7043
- Campus: Jacksonville, IL
- Net Price: $16,583.00
- Enrollment: 571
- Loan Default Rate: 16.00%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 2.99%
- Graduation Rate: 38.40%
- Median Borrowing: $21,546.00
- Median Payment: $224.96
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 3
BSN
Overall Score: 97.59%
Bradley University
- 1501 W Bradley Ave, Peoria, IL - 61625-0001
- (309) 676-7611
Bradley University’s online platform is exclusively focused on education for nurses and counselors, and their nursing programs can be completed 100% online, allow the completion of clinicals locally, and ready students for NCLEX-BSN Exam and for ANCC certification.
- Campus: Peoria, IL
- Net Price: $25,683.00
- Enrollment: 4,825
- Loan Default Rate: 2.90%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 12.06%
- Graduation Rate: 75.60%
- Median Borrowing: $27,000.00
- Median Payment: $281.91
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, Masters, MSN to DNP, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 4
BSN
Overall Score: 96.67%
Saint Anthony College of Nursing
- 5658 E State St, Rockford, IL - 61108-2468
- (815) 282-7900
Saint Anthony College of Nursing is located in Rockford, Illinois. Their selection of nursing programs is vast – they offer everything from diploma RN programs to doctoral nursing programs. They even have a parish nurse program, which prepares the RN to work in a faith-based institution. They have a revamped RN to BSN program that allows the RN to complete their BSN in 18 months.
- Campus: Rockford, IL
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, Masters, MSN to DNP, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 5
BSN
Overall Score: 94.96%
Illinois State University
- North and School Streets, Normal, IL - 61790-1000
- (309) 438-2111
Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois. Their nursing department is called the “Mennonite College of Nursing”. They offer a traditional BSN program, an accelerated BSN program, and their RN to BSN program is offered online. In addition, they offer various MSN and doctoral options. They also have a group called M.E.N in Nursing (Men are Excellent Nurses), which works to bring men into the field of nursing.
- Campus: Normal, IL
- Net Price: $15,673.00
- Enrollment: 17,749
- Loan Default Rate: 4.00%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 14.22%
- Graduation Rate: 71.60%
- Median Borrowing: $21,500.00
- Median Payment: $224.48
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, Masters, MSN to DNP, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 6
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: 94.89%
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- 2122 - 25th Avenue, Rock Island, IL - 61201-5317
- (309) 779-7700
Trinity College or Nursing and Health Sciences is located in Rock Island, Illinois. This college is unique in that it is small and houses only health science degrees – nursing (associates of nursing, bachelor’s of nursing, master’s of nursing, bachelor of science in health science, associate of applied science in radiography, and associated of applied science in respiratory therapy). They also offer the EDGE Program, which allows high school seniors early entry into their programs.
- Campus: Rock Island, IL
- Enrollment: 234
- Loan Default Rate: 6.00%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Graduation Rate: 66.70%
- Median Borrowing: $16,562.00
- Median Payment: $172.93
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, Masters
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 7
BSN
Overall Score: 94.30%
Lewis University
- One University Parkway, Romeoville, IL - 60446-2200
- (815) 838-0500
Lewis University is located in Romeoville, Illinois. Their nursing department offers a few options for its nursing students: a pre-licensure program, which is a general BSN program, a pre-licensure accelerated program, which is designed for students already holding a bachelor’s degree, and an RN to BSN program.
- Campus: Romeoville, IL
- Net Price: $19,015.00
- Enrollment: 4,613
- Loan Default Rate: 5.20%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 9.71%
- Graduation Rate: 62.50%
- Median Borrowing: $23,244.00
- Median Payment: $242.69
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, Masters, MSN to DNP, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 8
BSN
Overall Score: 94.26%
Aurora University
- 347 S Gladstone Ave, Aurora, IL - 60506-4892
- (630) 892-6431
Aurora University is located in Aurora, Illinois. They offer both a traditional BSN program and an RN to BSN program. Incoming freshmen may apply for direct admission into the BSN program if they have an ACT score of 23 and a GPA of 3.2.
- Campus: Aurora, IL
- Net Price: $17,529.00
- Enrollment: 3,246
- Loan Default Rate: 6.00%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 5.62%
- Graduation Rate: 57.60%
- Median Borrowing: $16,062.00
- Median Payment: $167.71
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 9
BSN
Overall Score: 93.85%
University of St Francis
- 500 N Wilcox St, Joliet, IL - 60435-6188
- (815) 740-3400
University of St Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois. The Leach College of Nursing is offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Undergraduate programs include a traditional BSN program and two RN to BSN programs. They offer an RN to BSN program online and an RN to BSN program as a fast track program with Joliet Junior College.
- Campus: Joliet, IL
- Net Price: $17,556.00
- Enrollment: 1,780
- Loan Default Rate: 3.60%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid, Online
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 18.82%
- Graduation Rate: 56.60%
- Median Borrowing: $24,129.00
- Median Payment: $251.93
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, Masters, MSN to DNP, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 10
BSN
Overall Score: 93.19%
Western Illinois University
- 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL - 61455
- (309) 295-1414
- Campus: Macomb, IL
- Net Price: $16,919.00
- Enrollment: 9,873
- Transfer Out Rate: 32.20%
- Loan Default Rate: 7.20%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 19.71%
- Graduation Rate: 56.10%
- Median Borrowing: $19,125.00
- Median Payment: $199.69
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 11
BSN
Overall Score: 91.93%
Illinois Wesleyan University
- 1312 N Park St, Bloomington, IL - 61702-2900
- (309) 556-1000
Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, Illinois. They offer a BSN program. Their program is unique because they encourage their nursing students to study abroad in Barcelona. A transcultural experience is also offered for travel to Hawaii. Nursing students are also given the opportunity to minor Human Services Management or Spanish.
- Campus: Bloomington, IL
- Net Price: $28,044.00
- Enrollment: 2,009
- Loan Default Rate: 3.80%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 3.35%
- Graduation Rate: 78.10%
- Median Borrowing: $27,000.00
- Median Payment: $281.91
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 12
BSN
Overall Score: 91.67%
Loyola University Chicago
- 1032 W. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL - 60660
- (773) 274-3000
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Net Price: $29,184.00
- Enrollment: 10,168
- Loan Default Rate: 4.60%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid, Online
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 0.72%
- Graduation Rate: 71.00%
- Median Borrowing: $26,000.00
- Median Payment: $271.47
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 13
BSN
Overall Score: 91.63%
St Johns College of Nursing
- 729 E. Carpenter St, Springfield, IL - 62702
- (217) 525-5628
St. John’s College of Nursing is located in Springfield, Illinois. They offer a BSN program, an accelerated BSN program for those students already holding a bachelor’s degree, and an RN to BSN program. They also have an early admit option for high school seniors.
- Campus: Springfield, IL
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 14
BSN
Overall Score: 91.63%
St Johns College
- 729 E. Carpenter St, Springfield, IL - 62702
- (217) 525-5628
- Campus: Springfield, IL
- Institution Accreditation: NCA
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 15
BSN
Overall Score: 90.89%
Northern Illinois University
- 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy., Dekalb, IL - 60115-2828
- (800) 892-3050
- Campus: Dekalb, IL
- Net Price: $19,168.00
- Enrollment: 15,814
- Loan Default Rate: 9.40%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 15.69%
- Graduation Rate: 51.00%
- Median Borrowing: $18,750.00
- Median Payment: $195.77
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 16
BSN
Overall Score: 89.93%
Blessing Rieman College of Nursing
- Broadway at 11th Street, Quincy, IL - 62305-7005
- (217) 228-5520
Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing is located in Quincy, Illinois. They offer a basic-track BSN program and an RN to BSN program. They also offer a variety of advanced degrees; unique to their program is the RN to MSN program, which allows the RN to bypass the BSN and obtain and an advanced degree.
- Campus: Quincy, IL
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 17
BSN
Overall Score: 89.30%
Methodist College
- 415 St. Mark Court, Peoria, IL - 61603
- (309) 672-5513
- Campus: Peoria, IL
- Net Price: $26,473.00
- Enrollment: 508
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 34.92%
- Median Borrowing: $22,250.00
- Median Payment: $232.32
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 18
BSN
Overall Score: 87.78%
Elmhurst College
- 190 Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL - 60126-3096
- (630) 279-4100
Elmhurst College is located in Elmhurt, Illinois. They offer a prelicensure program (a BSN program for those without a prior RN license) and a Baccalaureate Degree Completion Option (a BSN program for those holding an ADN degree, already holding their RN license).
- Campus: Elmhurst, IL
- Net Price: $20,551.00
- Enrollment: 2,900
- Loan Default Rate: 2.10%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: -3.72%
- Graduation Rate: 74.00%
- Median Borrowing: $22,250.00
- Median Payment: $232.32
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 19
BSN
Overall Score: 86.89%
Resurrection University
- 1431 N. Claremont, Chicago, IL - 60622
- (773) 252-6464
Resurrection University is located in Chicago, Illinois. This university is unique because its primary focus is educating healthcare professionals. While their main focus is nursing, they also offer degrees in health information management, radiography and health systems leadership.
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 20
BSN
Overall Score: 85.81%
North Park University
- 3225 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL - 60625-4895
- (773) 244-6200
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Net Price: $18,724.00
- Enrollment: 2,204
- Loan Default Rate: 5.90%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: -4.15%
- Graduation Rate: 56.30%
- Median Borrowing: $21,000.00
- Median Payment: $219.26
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, Masters, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 21
BSN
Overall Score: 85.74%
Olivet Nazarene University
- One University Avenue, Bourbonnais, IL - 60914-2271
- (815) 939-5011
- Campus: Bourbonnais, IL
- Net Price: $20,263.00
- Enrollment: 3,335
- Loan Default Rate: 4.70%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 11.07%
- Graduation Rate: 56.80%
- Median Borrowing: $21,566.00
- Median Payment: $225.17
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, Masters, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 22
BSN
Overall Score: 83.63%
Saint Xavier University
- 3700 W 103rd St, Chicago, IL - 60655
- (773) 298-3000
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Net Price: $16,465.00
- Enrollment: 2,920
- Loan Default Rate: 5.80%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 2.73%
- Graduation Rate: 47.10%
- Median Borrowing: $21,151.00
- Median Payment: $220.84
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 23
BSN
Overall Score: 83.22%
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing
- 511 NE Greenleaf St, Peoria, IL - 61603-3783
- (309) 655-2201
- Campus: Peoria, IL
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, Masters, MSN to DNP, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 24
BSN
Overall Score: 81.48%
University of Illinois at Chicago
- 601 S Morgan, Chicago, IL - 60607
- (312) 996-7000
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Net Price: $11,645.00
- Enrollment: 16,671
- Transfer Out Rate: 32.80%
- Loan Default Rate: 4.20%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 33.90%
- Graduation Rate: 56.70%
- Median Borrowing: $16,896.00
- Median Payment: $176.41
- Award Levels: Bachelor, BSN to DNP, Masters, MSN to DNP, Post Master\'s NP Certificate
- Program Accreditation(s): ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 25
BSN
Overall Score: 80.59%
Chamberlain College of Nursing-Illinois
- 1221 N Swift Rd, Addison, IL - 60101
- (630) 953-3660
- Campus: Addison, IL
- Net Price: $19,901.00
- Enrollment: 10,783
- Loan Default Rate: 5.80%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Private For-Profit
- Net Price Change: -1.43%
- Median Borrowing: $23,500.00
- Median Payment: $245.37
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 26
BSN
Overall Score: 79.67%
Millikin University
- 1184 W Main St, Decatur, IL - 62522-2084
- (217) 424-6211
Millikin University is located in Decatur, Illinois. They offer a BSN program and an RN to BSN program. They also offer a school nurse certification. The school nurse certification is allows the BSN to become a K-12 nurse in the state of Illinois; this certificate can be obtained at only four universities in Illinois, with Millikin University being one of the four.
- Campus: Decatur, IL
- Net Price: $20,096.00
- Enrollment: 2,153
- Loan Default Rate: 9.80%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 11.85%
- Graduation Rate: 59.60%
- Median Borrowing: $22,500.00
- Median Payment: $234.93
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters, MSN to DNP
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 27
BSN
Overall Score: 78.59%
Rockford University
- 5050 E State St, Rockford, IL - 61108-2311
- (815) 226-4186
Rockford University is located in Rockford, Illinois. They offer a “basic BSN” program. They also have an “early decision option” for high school seniors. High school seniors may opt to enroll in the nursing program immediately – however, this is competitive and only a handful of seniors are selected each year.
- Campus: Rockford, IL
- Net Price: $22,851.00
- Enrollment: 972
- Loan Default Rate: 8.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 15.12%
- Graduation Rate: 39.50%
- Median Borrowing: $22,667.00
- Median Payment: $236.67
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 28
BSN
Overall Score: 76.41%
Chicago State University
- 9501 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL - 60628-1598
- (773) 995-2000
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Net Price: $10,203.00
- Enrollment: 4,340
- Transfer Out Rate: 55.60%
- Loan Default Rate: 13.80%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 2.41%
- Graduation Rate: 20.70%
- Median Borrowing: $22,000.00
- Median Payment: $229.71
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 29
BSN
Overall Score: 69.26%
Lakeview College of Nursing
- 903 N Logan Ave, Danville, IL - 61832
- (217) 709-0920
- Campus: Danville, IL
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED N/A*
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: N/A*
Robert Morris University Illinois
- 401 S State Street, Chicago, IL - 60605
- (312) 935-6800
Robert Morris University Illinois is located in Chicago, Illinois. They are able to boast that their graduation rate is in the top 5 amongst private universities in Illinois. Their department of nursing offers a BSN degree and an ASN degree.
- Campus: Chicago, IL
- Net Price: $19,642.00
- Enrollment: 2,781
- Loan Default Rate: 5.80%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 8.18%
- Graduation Rate: 80.00%
- Median Borrowing: $20,000.00
- Median Payment: $208.82
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
Sources: The State Board of Nursing from Each State, U.S. Department of Education: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education – OPE, National Center for Education Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nursing Specialties: Nursing Specialties | RN Salary Guide: Registered Nurse Salary | LPN Salary Guide: LPN Salary | Online Associates Nursing Program | Nursing Schools in Arizona | Nursing Schools in Maryland | RN Programs in the United States | For information about how we rank RN programs, please see our ranking methodology.
Helpful Nursing Resources
Nurses who have completed a RN to BSN program are commonly sought out by prospective employers and offered a wider range of career choices. Both hospitals and non-hospitals positions in Illinois for nurses with BSNs include:
- RN educators for faculty, academic advising, and clinical preceptors
- Labor and delivery, intensive care, and OBGYN
- Intervention catheter labs, emergency department, and PACU
The complexity of care for an increasingly older population requires advanced training for effective nursing care. The nurses in Illinois earn an average salary of $66,730 annually.
Illinois Registered Nursing Salaries
You will see in this table that the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville metropolitan area has the highest employment rate as well as hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
| Area name | Employment | Hourly median wage | Annual median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington-Normal, IL | 1,380 | $28.02 | $58,290 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 2,390 | $27.79 | $57,800 |
| Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL Metropolitan Division | 69,750 | $34.67 | $72,100 |
| Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL-IN-WI | 81,780 | $34.21 | $71,150 |
| Danville, IL | 550 | $28.47 | $59,220 |
| Decatur, IL | 1,400 | $24.01 | $49,940 |
| Kankakee-Bradley, IL | 1,340 | $33.23 | $69,110 |
| Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division | 5,700 | $32.81 | $68,250 |
| Peoria, IL | 4,790 | $26.68 | $55,490 |
| Rockford, IL | 3,830 | $27.86 | $57,940 |
| Springfield, IL | 2,950 | $29.45 | $61,250 |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | 2,720 | $25.12 | $52,240 |
| West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | 3,870 | $24.80 | $51,580 |
| East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | 2,430 | $23.24 | $48,350 |
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | 3,860 | $26.56 | $55,240 |
Source: http://www.dol.gov/, 2014 Data