2023 Best Nursing 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 Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 52 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Loyola University Chicago to be the best school for nursing students in Illinois. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 5,944 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $44,880 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $777 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Loyola Chicago graduates make an average of $47,459 annually.
Out of the 52 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Oakton Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Oakton Community College is a public institution located in Des Plaines, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,875 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Oakton Community College accumulate an average of $7,638 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Oakton Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,340 during the early years of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend College of Lake County. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Illinois list. Grayslake, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,149 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,385 in student loans.After graduating from College of Lake County, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,083 during the early years of their career.
The excellent programs at William Rainey Harper College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Illinois. Palatine, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,419 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,072 in student loans.After graduating from Harper College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,420 during the early years of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of St Francis. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Illinois list. University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 980 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $34,659 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $410. During the early years of their career, University of Saint Francis graduates make an average of $60,805 annually.
Bradley University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Peoria, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,591 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $40,924 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $545, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Bradley graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,822 during the early year of their career.
Illinois State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #7 on the list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 5,654 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Illinois State accumulate an average of $22,010 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $332, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Illinois State graduates make an average of $44,092 annually.
Lewis University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Illinois list. Located in Romeoville, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,896 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,340 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $397. During the early years of their career, Lewis graduates make an average of $48,984 annually.
McKendree University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list. McKendree is located in Lebanon, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 690 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from McKendree accumulate an average of $23,241 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $261.After graduating from McKendree, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,532 during the early years of their career.
University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Illinois list. This large public school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 8,607 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $46,283 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $305. During the early years of their career, UIC graduates make an average of $53,836 annually.
Benedictine University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Lisle, Illinois, and it awarded 1,544 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $36,638 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $363 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Benedictine U graduates make an average of $47,484 annually.
Kaskaskia College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Kaskaskia College is a small public school located in Centralia, Illinois that handed out 842 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Kaskaskia College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,724 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #13, Elmhurst University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Elmhurst, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,099 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,675 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $298 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Elmhurst, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,474 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #14, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. This fairly large public school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 3,491 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SIUE accumulate an average of $32,694 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $271 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SIUE graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,746 during the early year of their career.
Joliet Junior College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 2,944 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,438 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Joliet Junior College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,492 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #16, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Olivet Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 1,100 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene accumulate an average of $26,570 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $351.After graduating from Olivet Nazarene, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,879 during the early years of their career.
Millikin University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Millikin is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decatur, Illinois. It awarded 474 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $43,567 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $368 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Millikin graduates make an average of $49,675 annually.
North Park University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Illinois ranking. North Park is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 684 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from North Park accumulate an average of $27,694 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $287.After graduating from North Park, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,147 during the early years of their career.
Northern Illinois University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Illinois list. NIU is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,352 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from NIU accumulate an average of $30,718 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $246, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, NIU graduates make an average of $48,041 annually.
Waubonsee Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. Waubonsee is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,564 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $8,891 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Waubonsee graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,527 during the early year of their career.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Illinois list. Located in Springfield, Illinois, the small public school awarded 1,623 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,613 in student loans.After graduating from LLCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,692 during the early years of their career.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 1,666 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,739 in student loans.After graduating from Malcolm X College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,354 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College
Governors State University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. GSU is located in University Park, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,206 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from GSU accumulate an average of $34,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from GSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,233 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #24, Parkland College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Champaign, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,451 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Parkland College accumulate an average of $9,140 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Parkland College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,662 during the early years of their career.
Morton College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Illinois list. This small public school is located in Cicero, Illinois, and it awarded 622 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Morton College accumulate an average of $9,309 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Morton College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,716 during the early year of their career.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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