2026 Best Nursing Schools in Illinois
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Illinois? Our ranking highlights 240 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 188 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in Illinois
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Loyola University Chicago to be the best Nursing school in Illinois. Based in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,710. The median Nursing program debt is $23,521. Get the full Loyola University Chicago report
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A rank of #2 makes Oakton Community College one of the top choices in Illinois. Oakton Community College is a public school based in Des Plaines, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Oakton Community College Nursing students take on a median of $7,750 in debt. See the full Oakton Community College profile
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College Of Lake County came in at #3 on this year's Nursing ranking in Illinois. Located in Grayslake, IL, College Of Lake County is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $9,785. Read the full report on College Of Lake County
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You'll be in good company at Harper College, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Palatine, IL, Harper College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Harper College Nursing students take on a median of $10,963 in debt. More on Harper College
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A rank of #5 makes University Of St Francis one of the top choices in Illinois. Based in Joliet, IL, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,110. University Of St Francis Nursing students take on a median of $25,695 in debt. More on University Of St Francis
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Bradley University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Peoria, IL. Bradley University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,160. Graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Get the full Bradley University report
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Illinois State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Illinois State University is a public school based in Normal, IL. Illinois State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical Nursing student debt is $21,896. Read more about Illinois State University
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Lewis University landed the #8 spot in Illinois this year. Based in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. The median Nursing program debt is $24,838. More on Lewis University
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Mckendree University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Lebanon, IL, Mckendree University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $34,740. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,362. Get the full Mckendree University report
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University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #10 among Nursing schools in Illinois. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $20,115. Get the full University Of Illinois At Chicago report
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Benedictine University landed the #11 spot in Illinois this year. Benedictine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lisle, IL. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $32,648. The median Nursing program debt is $25,338. See the full Benedictine University profile
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Kaskaskia College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Centralia, IL, Kaskaskia College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical Nursing student debt is $7,875. Read the full report on Kaskaskia College
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Elmhurst College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Elmhurst, IL, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $22,400. See the full Elmhurst College profile
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #14 among Nursing schools in Illinois. This public school is set in Edwardsville, IL. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,917. Read more about Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
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Joliet Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Joliet, IL, Joliet Junior College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Joliet Junior College Nursing students take on a median of $11,995 in debt. See the full Joliet Junior College profile
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Olivet Nazarene University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Olivet Nazarene University graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,900. Olivet Nazarene University Nursing students take on a median of $26,797 in debt. Get the full Olivet Nazarene University report
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Millikin University landed the #17 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Decatur, IL, Millikin University is a private not-for-profit institution. Millikin University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Graduates carry a median of $26,036 in student loans. Read more about Millikin University
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North Park University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, North Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,710. North Park University Nursing students take on a median of $27,360 in debt. See the full North Park University profile
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Northern Illinois University placed #19 among Nursing schools in Illinois. This public school is set in Dekalb, IL. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Northern Illinois University Nursing students take on a median of $25,209 in debt. More on Northern Illinois University
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Waubonsee Community College landed the #20 spot in Illinois this year. Based in Sugar Grove, IL, Waubonsee Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Read the full report on Waubonsee Community College
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Lincoln Land Community College placed #21 among Nursing schools in Illinois. Based in Springfield, IL, Lincoln Land Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $11,272. More on Lincoln Land Community College
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City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #22 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Graduates carry a median of $12,272 in student loans. Read the full report on City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
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Governors State University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in University Park, IL. Governors State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 21%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,004. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,990. Read more about Governors State University
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Parkland College landed the #24 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Champaign, IL, Parkland College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $10,168. Read the full report on Parkland College
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Morton College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Cicero, IL, Morton College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,884, compared with $11,028 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,734 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Morton College profile
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Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Saint Xavier University landed the #26 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Chicago, IL, Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,735. More on Saint Xavier University
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South Suburban College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in South Holland, IL, South Suburban College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,093 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $7,904. Read more about South Suburban College
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Kishwaukee College landed the #28 spot in Illinois this year. Kishwaukee College is a public school based in Malta, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Kishwaukee College Nursing students take on a median of $10,328 in debt. Get the full Kishwaukee College report
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Elgin Community College placed #29 among Nursing schools in Illinois. Based in Elgin, IL, Elgin Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Elgin Community College Nursing students take on a median of $7,727 in debt. Read more about Elgin Community College
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Illinois Valley Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Oglesby, IL, Illinois Valley Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. The median Nursing program debt is $8,099. Read the full report on Illinois Valley Community College
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Black Hawk College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Black Hawk College is a public school based in Moline, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. The median Nursing program debt is $11,340. See the full Black Hawk College profile
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Highland Community College Freeport ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Freeport, IL, Highland Community College Freeport is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $13,783. Read the full report on Highland Community College Freeport
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Lake Land College did well this year, earning the #33 position. Located in Mattoon, IL, Lake Land College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical Nursing student debt is $7,769. See the full Lake Land College profile
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Sauk Valley Community College placed #34 among Nursing schools in Illinois. Sauk Valley Community College is a public school based in Dixon, IL. Students from in state pay about $5,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,900 for out-of-state students. Sauk Valley Community College Nursing students take on a median of $12,811 in debt. More on Sauk Valley Community College
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Moraine Valley Community College placed #35 among Nursing schools in Illinois. Set in Palos Hills, IL, Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Moraine Valley Community College
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Prairie State College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Chicago Heights, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Prairie State College
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Kankakee Community College placed #37 among Nursing schools in Illinois. Kankakee Community College is a public school based in Kankakee, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. The median Nursing program debt is $13,289. More on Kankakee Community College
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John A Logan College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Carterville, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Graduates carry a median of $10,479 in student loans. Read more about John A Logan College
Request InformationIllinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College placed #39 among Nursing schools in Illinois. This public school is set in Olney, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $5,260, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. The median Nursing program debt is $9,434. Read the full report on Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College
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Depaul University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Depaul University profile
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Carl Sandburg College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Carl Sandburg College is a public school based in Galesburg, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. Read the full report on Carl Sandburg College
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Richland Community College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Decatur, IL, Richland Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Richland Community College Nursing students take on a median of $9,562 in debt. See the full Richland Community College profile
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Heartland Community College placed #43 among Nursing schools in Illinois. This public school is set in Normal, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Heartland Community College Nursing students take on a median of $13,266 in debt. Read more about Heartland Community College
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Rock Valley College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Rockford, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Typical Nursing student debt is $9,236. See the full Rock Valley College profile
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Illinois Central College placed #45 among Nursing schools in Illinois. Based in East Peoria, IL, Illinois Central College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Illinois Central College report
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Rend Lake College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Based in Ina, IL, Rend Lake College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,500, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Typical Nursing student debt is $8,688. Read the full report on Rend Lake College
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Lewis And Clark Community College placed #47 among Nursing schools in Illinois. Located in Godfrey, IL, Lewis And Clark Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. See the full Lewis And Clark Community College profile
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John Wood Community College landed the #48 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Quincy, IL, John Wood Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,100, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,844 in student loans. See the full John Wood Community College profile
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Triton College placed #49 among Nursing schools in Illinois. Located in River Grove, IL, Triton College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Triton College Nursing students take on a median of $12,994 in debt. Read more about Triton College
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Mchenry County College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in Crystal Lake, IL, Mchenry County College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. More on Mchenry County College
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 188 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 240 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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