Nursing Schools in Illinois
Current students and college-bound students can quickly research a complete list of accredited nursing schools in Illinois with our information technology and school data listed below. As you collect information, you will want to keep in mind the best career pathways, degree options, learning modalities, and best nursing school in Illinois for you. All are very personal decisions which require analysis and introspection to arrive at a sound decision. Nursing degree program include graduate-level degrees (MSN, PhD, DNSc), undergraduate degrees (LPN to BSN, ADN, BSN, Second Degree BSN), and certificate programs (graduate and undergraduate). With an ever-expanding number of degree programs available, you can study to become an RN or a more specialized field like nursing administration or pediatric nursing. After earning your respective degree in nursing, you will need to pass the standardized nursing examination NCLEX plus apply for a license from the Illinois board of nursing. Collect an array of information from schools that fit your career goals with MatchCollege today and make the most of your time and resources.
Browse Nursing Schools in Illinois By Type
- (LPN) Licensed Practical Nurse (39 Schools)
- (ADN-RN) Registered Nurse (52 Schools)
- (BSN) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (35 Schools)
- (MSN) Master of Science in Nursing (16 Schools)
Top Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Programs in Illinois By Number of Graduates
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs usually take 9 - 12 months to complete and you would have to pass a licensing exam prior to being licensed in the state. Schools listed below are sorted by the number of LPN program students enrolled.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| College of DuPage | Request Info |
| Joliet Junior College | Request Info |
| Capital Area School of Practical Nursing | Request Info |
| Elgin Community College | Request Info |
| City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College | Request Info |
| Ambria College of Nursing | |
| John A Logan College | Request Info |
| Danville Area Community College | Request Info |
| Career Center of Southern Illinois | Request Info |
| Kaskaskia College | Request Info |
| Carl Sandburg College | Request Info |
| Olney Central College - Illinois Eastern Community Colleges | Request Info |
| Southeastern Illinois College | Request Info |
| Shawnee Community College | Request Info |
| Lake Land College | Request Info |
| Black Hawk College | Request Info |
| John Wood Community College | Request Info |
| Harper College | Request Info |
| Illinois Central College | Request Info |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Request Info |
Top Associate Level Registered Nurse (RN) Programs in Illinois By Number of Graduates
The minimum degree requirement to become a Registered Nurse is to obtain an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, which usually takes about 2 years to complete. You would also have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam prior to being state licensed. Schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in the program.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College | Request Info |
| Joliet Junior College | Request Info |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | Request Info |
| Harper College | Request Info |
| Elgin Community College | Request Info |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Request Info |
| Oakton Community College | Request Info |
| Olney Central College - Illinois Eastern Community Colleges | Request Info |
| City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College | Request Info |
| College of DuPage | Request Info |
| College of Lake County | Request Info |
| Kaskaskia College | Request Info |
| Morton College | Request Info |
| Illinois Valley Community College | Request Info |
| Parkland College | Request Info |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Request Info |
| Illinois Central College | Request Info |
| John A Logan College | Request Info |
| Waubonsee Community College | Request Info |
| City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College | Request Info |
Top Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs in Illinois By Number of Graduates
See the top schools offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. A BSN program usually takes 4 years to complete, and a licensing exam (NCLEX) is also required. Some of these schools may also offer a RN to BSN bridge programs. The top 10 schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in their BSN program.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| Chamberlain College of Nursing - Addison Campus | Request Info |
| Olivet Nazarene University | Request Info |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Request Info |
| Loyola University Chicago | Request Info |
| Northern Illinois University | Request Info |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | Request Info |
| Illinois State University | Request Info |
| Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing | Request Info |
| Resurrection University | Request Info |
| Lewis University | Request Info |
| Benedictine University | Request Info |
| Aurora University | Request Info |
| Lakeview College of Nursing | Request Info |
| Methodist College | Request Info |
| Saint Xavier University | Request Info |
| University of St Francis | Request Info |
| North Park University | Request Info |
| McKendree University | Request Info |
| Saint Anthony College of Nursing | Request Info |
| Bradley University | Request Info |
Top Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs in Illinois By Number of Graduates
Getting your Master of Science in Nursing will take about 5-7 years from start to finish. You would still need to take a exam prior to being fully licensed to practice in the state. The schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in their Master's program.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| Chamberlain College of Nursing - Addison Campus | Request Info |
| Olivet Nazarene University | Request Info |
| DePaul University | Request Info |
| University of St Francis | Request Info |
| Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing | Request Info |
| Resurrection University | Request Info |
| McKendree University | Request Info |
| Illinois State University | Request Info |
| Elmhurst College | Request Info |
| Saint Anthony College of Nursing | Request Info |
| Blessing Rieman College of Nursing | Request Info |
| Aurora University | Request Info |
| Chicago State University | Request Info |
| Loyola University Chicago | Request Info |
| Bradley University | Request Info |
| Saint Xavier University | Request Info |
Registered Nurses in Illinois can make a salary between $46,000 to $91,000 per year. The list below shows registered nurse salaries in areas throughout Illinois.
- Danville: $63,000
- Chicago, Naperville, Arlington Heights: $77,000
- Lake County, Kenosha County: $76,000
- Elgin: $74,000
- Springfield: $64,000
Nurse's in Illinois Compared to Median Income Averages
+85% Above State Median Income
+91% Above National Median Income
Nurse's in Illinois take home an average 34.08 per hour. Annual earnings for Nurse's working in the State of Illinois average $70,890 which is 85% above the state median income and 91% above the national median income for all occupations. Employment for a Nurse makes up just 0.07% of the working population in Illinois and is limited due to the specific qualifications required along with the schooling involved in this career path. The increasing demand for qualified Nurses coupled with the educational barrier to enter the field is met with a steady supply of eager college graduates anxious to make a long-lasting impact in the lives of others in and around Illinois.
Average Income for a Nurse in Illinois
| Employment | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Nurse | 121,670 | $34.08 | $70,890 |
| State Average | 6,029,300 | $18.40 | $38,272.00 |
| National Average | 153,156,000 | $17.82 | $37,040 |
Source:
Graduate data is from the 2013-2014 school year.
IPEDS Survey 2012-2015: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.