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Best Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

29 Schools Ranked
$29,529 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$25,787 Avg Student Debt*

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.

The Best Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 29 schools in Illinois to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

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.

Top Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
32 Total Awards
$17,620 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Governors State University to be the best value school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Illinois. GSU is located in University Park, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

GSU undergraduate students pay an average of $17,620 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,123 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at GSU. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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434 Total Awards
$11,496 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 434 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

SIUE undergraduate students pay an average of $11,496 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,579 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SIUE. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#3

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
217 Total Awards
$24,172 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. This large public school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 217 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Illinois State are $24,172 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,109 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Illinois State. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.

Illinois State also took the #4 spot in our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois rankings.

Read full report on Illinois State University

#4

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
35 Total Awards
$14,551 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Eastern Illinois University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Illinois. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at EIU are $14,551 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,733 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since EIU does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#5

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
40 Total Awards
$13,297 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Western Illinois University is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Macomb, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 40 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

WIU undergraduate students pay an average of $13,297 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $28,617 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

WIU 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 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Western Illinois University Report

284 Total Awards
$30,370 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. This large public school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 284 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UIC undergraduate students pay an average of $30,370 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $19,801 in loans while pursuing their degree.

UIC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.

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#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
185 Total Awards
$14,738 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Illinois University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 185 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NIU are $14,738 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,759 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NIU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 4% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#8

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
26 Total Awards
$11,204 Average Tuition & Fees
$38,261 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Chicago State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CSU are $11,204 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $38,261 in student loans.

Online courses are available at CSU, 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, 57% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Chicago State University Report

#9

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
207 Total Awards
$26,760 Average Tuition & Fees

Aurora University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Aurora is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aurora, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 207 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Aurora are $26,760 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,543 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Aurora. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#10

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois
51 Total Awards
$33,050 Average Tuition & Fees

McKendree University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. McKendree is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lebanon, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 51 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

McKendree undergraduate students pay an average of $33,050 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,607 in student loans.

McKendree 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 16% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

McKendree not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list.

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#11

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
4 Total Awards
$34,310 Average Tuition & Fees

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in River Forest, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Chicago undergraduate students pay an average of $34,310 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,522 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Concordia University, Chicago 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 50% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Concordia University, Chicago not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list.

Read full report on Concordia University, Chicago

#12

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
123 Total Awards
$35,000 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, University of St Francis did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 123 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at University of Saint Francis are $35,000 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $28,383 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

University of Saint Francis does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 89% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

In addition to its great value ranking, University of Saint Francis is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list.

Full University of St Francis Report

#13

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
26 Total Awards
$31,493 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Roosevelt University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Roosevelt is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

Roosevelt undergraduate students pay an average of $31,493 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $28,098 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Roosevelt 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 fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Roosevelt University Report

#13

Benedictine University

Lisle, Illinois
85 Total Awards
$32,280 Average Tuition & Fees

Benedictine University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Benedictine U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lisle, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 85 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Benedictine U are $32,280 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $26,886 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Benedictine U. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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#15

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
129 Total Awards
$35,472 Average Tuition & Fees

Lewis University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Romeoville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lewis are $35,472 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,413 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Lewis. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Lewis University Report

#16

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
115 Total Awards
$36,360 Average Tuition & Fees

Bradley University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Peoria, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 115 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bradley are $36,360 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,068 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Bradley does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Bradley University

#17

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
46 Total Awards
$35,420 Average Tuition & Fees

Dominican University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in River Forest, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 46 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Dominican U are $35,420 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,422 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Dominican U does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Dominican University Report

#17

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois
27 Total Awards
$31,160 Average Tuition & Fees

Quincy University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Quincy, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

Quincy U undergraduate students pay an average of $31,160 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $25,741 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Quincy U does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Quincy University Report

#19

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois
14 Total Awards
$33,275 Average Tuition & Fees

Trinity Christian College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Palos Heights, Illinois, and it awarded 14 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Trinity Christian are $33,275 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $29,340 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Trinity Christian does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.

Read full report on Trinity Christian College

#19

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
496 Total Awards
$47,808 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 496 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Loyola Chicago are $47,808 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,570 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 Loyola Chicago does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list.

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#19

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois
76 Total Awards
$33,050 Average Tuition & Fees

North Park University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. North Park University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 76 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Park are $33,050 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $26,826 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at North Park. In 2019-2020 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#22

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois
45 Total Awards
$52,512 Average Tuition & Fees

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Illinois Wesleyan is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bloomington, Illinois. It awarded 45 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Illinois Wesleyan are $52,512 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,212 in loans while pursuing their degree.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Illinois Wesleyan is ranked #2 for overall quality in Illinois.

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#22

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
63 Total Awards
$39,400 Average Tuition & Fees

Elmhurst University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Elmhurst University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Elmhurst, Illinois that handed out 63 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Elmhurst are $39,400 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,567 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Elmhurst. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Elmhurst University

#24

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois
136 Total Awards
$35,060 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,018 Avg Student Debt

Saint Xavier University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 136 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SXU are $35,060 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,018 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that SXU does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Saint Xavier University Report

#25

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
131 Total Awards
$37,440 Average Tuition & Fees

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 131 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Olivet Nazarene undergraduate students pay an average of $37,440 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,166 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Olivet Nazarene does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

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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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