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Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois

2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois

38 Colleges
$57,601 Avg Salary
$21,889 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing Associate Degree School for You

Out of the majors we analyze each year, nursing was the most popular one in Illinois. In total, 21,938 people earned a degree or certificate in the field from a school in Illinois.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. 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 that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. This report analyzed 38 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school is, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois

The following schools top our list of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Colleges.

Top 10 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools

#1

Ambria College of Nursing

Hoffman Estates, IL

Our analysis found Ambria College of Nursing to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Illinois. Located in the city of Hoffman Estates, Ambria College of Nursing is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Ambria College of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $32,601.

Full Nursing at Ambria College of Nursing Report

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - Illinois. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Rockford.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of around $32,326 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $175.

Full Nursing at Rasmussen University - Illinois Report

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#3

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, IL

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Oakton Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Des Plaines.

Nursing majors at Oakton Community College take out an average of $11,885 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Nursing at Oakton Community College Report

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend William Rainey Harper College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in the large suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Harper College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $19,644.

Full Nursing at William Rainey Harper College Report

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#5

Parkland College

Champaign, IL

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Parkland College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in the small city of Champaign, Parkland College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Parkland College take out $10,582 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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#6

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, IL

Waubonsee Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Waubonsee is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove.

After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Waubonsee carry an average student debtload of $17,386.

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#7

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a public college with a large student population.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Joliet Junior College accumulate an average of around $20,094 in student debt.

Full Nursing at Joliet Junior College Report

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Lincoln Land Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. LLCC is a small public school located in the midsize city of Springfield.

Nursing majors at LLCC take out an average of $22,153 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Nursing at Lincoln Land Community College Report

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Elgin Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Elgin, ECC is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Nursing majors at ECC take out an average of $15,362 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Nursing at Elgin Community College Report

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#10

Morton College

Cicero, IL

Morton College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a public college with a small student population.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Morton College accumulate an average of around $14,200 in student debt.

Full Nursing at Morton College Report

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Best Nursing Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Nursing Colleges in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 7,345
Ohio 13,973
Indiana 7,922
Wisconsin 5,410

Nursing is one of 30 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Health & Medical Administrative Services 89,359
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 84,492
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274
Allied Health Professions 82,308
Public Health 40,596

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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