2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 36 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for nursing students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Rasmussen University - Illinois to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Illinois. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 950 students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - Illinois, expect to pay an average of $14,294 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $21,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Illinois. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Oakton Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 691 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Oakton Community College is $10,446. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,462. Associate Degree recipients from Oakton Community College accumulate an average of $7,638 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Oakton Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means William Rainey Harper College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Harper College is a public institution located in Palatine, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,920 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Harper College full time pay an average of $9,942 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,754. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,214 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Harper College. In 2020-2021 about 71% 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 Parkland College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 753 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $11,580 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Parkland College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,930. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,935 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Parkland College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Waubonsee Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 994 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $10,626 in tuition and fees if they attend Waubonsee full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,496. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,891 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Waubonsee, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
Joliet Junior College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This fairly large public school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 1,391 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Joliet Junior College is $12,750. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,800. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,692 in student loans.
Joliet Junior College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Springfield, Illinois, the small public school awarded 786 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LLCC is $6,840. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,068. Associate Degree recipients from LLCC accumulate an average of $13,700 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LLCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
Elgin Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,091 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ECC is $7,140. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,516. Associate Degree recipients from ECC accumulate an average of $8,366 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at ECC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Morton College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Morton College is located in Cicero, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 507 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Illinois who attend Morton College full time pay an average of $8,852 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,900. Associate Degree recipients from Morton College accumulate an average of $9,309 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Morton College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 36% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
McHenry County College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. MCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It awarded 777 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend MCC full time pay an average of $11,341 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,692. Associate Degree recipients from MCC accumulate an average of $7,857 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MCC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 38% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
College of Lake County ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,588 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at College of Lake County is $9,842. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,118. On average, associate degree students take out $10,385 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at College of Lake County. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
Kishwaukee College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. This small public school is located in Malta, Illinois, and it awarded 385 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,390 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Kishwaukee College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,800. Associate Degree recipients from Kishwaukee College accumulate an average of $11,455 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Kishwaukee College. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Kankakee Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Kankakee Community College is located in Kankakee, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 299 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kankakee Community College is $13,200. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,560. Associate Degree recipients from Kankakee Community College accumulate an average of $14,543 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Kankakee Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 36% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lake Land College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Mattoon, Illinois, the small public school awarded 754 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $8,104 in tuition and fees if they attend Lake Land College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,905. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,042 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Lake Land College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #15, Rock Valley College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Rockford, Illinois, and it awarded 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Rock Valley College full time pay an average of $10,484 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $20,384. On average, associate degree students take out $10,885 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rock Valley College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.
Illinois Valley Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Oglesby, Illinois, the small public school awarded 419 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $13,169 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend IVCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,314. Associate Degree recipients from IVCC accumulate an average of $9,837 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at IVCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 40% took at least some of their classes online.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 688 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,367 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Malcolm X College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lewis and Clark Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. This small public school is located in Godfrey, Illinois, and it awarded 608 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,552 in tuition and fees if they attend Lewis and Clark Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,552. Associate Degree recipients from Lewis and Clark Community College accumulate an average of $7,734 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Lewis and Clark Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Carl Sandburg College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Carl Sandburg College is a public institution located in Galesburg, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 306 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,860 in tuition and fees if they attend Carl Sandburg College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,760. On average, associate degree students take out $5,479 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Carl Sandburg College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Olney Central College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Olney, Illinois is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 281 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $10,056 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Olney Central College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,082. On average, associate degree students take out $9,898 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Olney Central College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 28% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
South Suburban College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. This small public school is located in South Holland, Illinois, and it awarded 304 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SSC is $11,033. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,683.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SSC. In 2020-2021 about 46% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Triton College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Triton College is a public institution located in River Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 944 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $11,490 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Triton College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,430. On average, associate degree students take out $11,572 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Triton College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Illinois Central College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. ICC is a public institution located in East Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 988 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,443 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ICC. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #24, Moraine Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Moraine Valley Community College is a fairly large public school located in Palos Hills, Illinois that handed out 2,089 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $8,310 in tuition and fees if they attend MVCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,630. Associate Degree recipients from MVCC accumulate an average of $12,220 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that MVCC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #25, Highland Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Highland Community College is a small public school located in Freeport, Illinois that handed out 245 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $6,904 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Highland Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,048. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,122 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Highland Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
View Best Nursing Associate 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.
NursingDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© NursingDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.