2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. This report analyzed 36 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for nursing students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Lincoln Land Community College the best value school in Illinois for nursing students working on their associate degree. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 102 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LLCC are $10,068 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,056 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since LLCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its great value ranking, LLCC is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Elgin Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. ECC is a medium-sized public school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 91 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ECC are $9,516 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,016 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
ECC 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 2019-2020 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its great value ranking, ECC is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rend Lake College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Rend Lake College is a small public school located in Ina, Illinois that handed out 25 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Rend Lake College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,750 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,586 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rend Lake College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at John A Logan College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Illinois. John A Logan College is a small public school situated in Carterville, Illinois. It awarded 53 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at John A Logan College are $6,980 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,951 in loans while pursuing their degree.
John A Logan 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 46% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Highland Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Highland Community College is a small public school situated in Freeport, Illinois. It awarded 38 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Highland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,846 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,039 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Highland Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 52% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Belleville, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 66 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
SWIC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,940 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,561 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SWIC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Lake Land College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Mattoon, Illinois, the small public school handed out 93 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lake Land College are $13,906 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,990 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lake Land College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #8, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on this year’s best value schools 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 121 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Harper College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,682 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,799 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Harper 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Harper College is ranked #3 for overall quality in Illinois.
With a ranking of #9, Oakton Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 55 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Oakton Community College are $12,462 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,398 in student loans.
Oakton Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Oakton Community College is ranked #2 for overall quality in Illinois.
Waubonsee Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 113 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Waubonsee are $10,076 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,163 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Waubonsee. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Waubonsee also took the #5 spot in our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois rankings.
With a ranking of #11, Kaskaskia College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Kaskaskia College is a small public school situated in Centralia, Illinois. It awarded 66 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Kaskaskia College undergraduate students pay an average of $12,330 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $8,958 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Kaskaskia College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Carl Sandburg College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, the small public school awarded 49 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Carl Sandburg College are $8,760 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,267 in student loans.
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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #13, Black Hawk College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Moline, Illinois, and it awarded 34 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BHC are $7,650 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,002 in student loans.
BHC 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.
MVCC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,334 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,988 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MVCC. In 2019-2020 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rasmussen University - Illinois came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Rasmussen University - Illinois is located in Rockford, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 450 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Illinois are $13,883 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $27,566 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 Rasmussen University - Illinois does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Rasmussen University - Illinois not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list.
Rock Valley College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Rockford, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 51 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rock Valley College are $17,564 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,336 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Rock Valley College, 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
John Wood Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Quincy, Illinois, the small public school awarded 62 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
John Wood Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,190 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,755 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at John Wood Community College. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #18, Morton College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Cicero, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 88 students in 2020-2021.
Morton College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,524 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,317 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 Morton College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, Kishwaukee College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Kishwaukee College is a small public school located in Malta, Illinois that handed out 56 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kishwaukee College are $13,800 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,320 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Kishwaukee College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
College of Lake County did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 66 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
College of Lake County undergraduate students pay an average of $12,824 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,641 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at College of Lake County. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
Danville Area Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Danville Area Community College is a small public school located in Danville, Illinois that handed out 22 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DACC are $8,650 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,192 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DACC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
Illinois Central College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. ICC is a public institution located in East Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 61 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ICC are $11,497 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,789 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at ICC. In 2019-2020 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Richland Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Decatur, Illinois, the small public school awarded 49 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Richland Community College are $19,260 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,918 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Richland Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #24, Parkland College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Champaign, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 93 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Parkland College are $15,930 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,845 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Parkland College. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Parkland College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list.
Lewis and Clark Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Godfrey, Illinois, the small public school handed out 77 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lewis and Clark Community College are $12,552 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,019 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Lewis and Clark Community 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 2019-2020 about 16% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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