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Best Nursing Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Illinois

79 Colleges
$71,879 Avg Salary
$21,916 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Nursing Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 79 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Nursing Schools in Illinois

Check out the nursing programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 15% Best Nursing Schools

Our analysis found Graham Hospital School of Nursing to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a degree in Illinois. Located in the town of Canton, Graham Hospital School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Illinois list. Located in the large suburb of North Chicago, RFUMS is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Chamberlain University - Illinois is a great place for nursing students. Chamberlain - Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Addison.

On average, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Illinois take out $38,460 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $256.

Read full report on Nursing at Chamberlain University - Illinois

#4

Ambria College of Nursing

Hoffman Estates, IL

The excellent programs at Ambria College of Nursing helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools 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 degree, nursing graduates from Ambria College of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $34,750.

Read full report on Nursing at Ambria College of Nursing

Out of the 79 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the # 5 spot on the list. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Rockford.

On average, nursing graduates from Rasmussen University - Illinois take out $35,539 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $161.

Read full report on Nursing at Rasmussen University - Illinois

#6

Rush University

Chicago, IL

Rush University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. Rush University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

Read full report on Nursing at Rush University

#7

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Illinois Wesleyan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Bloomington.

Nursing majors at Illinois Wesleyan take out an average of $26,855 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Nursing at Illinois Wesleyan University

Saint Anthony College of Nursing landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the city of Rockford, SACN is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from SACN take out $25,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $281, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Saint Anthony College of Nursing Report

Loyola University Chicago ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Illinois list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

Nursing majors at Loyola Chicago take out an average of $26,000 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $767, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Loyola University Chicago Report

University of St Francis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Illinois list. University of Saint Francis is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from University of Saint Francis carry an average student debtload of $29,375. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $332.

Full Nursing at University of St Francis Report

#11

Bradley University

Peoria, IL

Bradley University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Illinois list. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Bradley take out is $27,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $580.

Full Nursing at Bradley University Report

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students in the state of Illinois that almost earned our Best Nursing Schools in Illinois award.

Rank College Location
12 Oak Point University Chicago, IL
13 Illinois State University Normal, IL
14 Concordia University, Chicago River Forest, IL
15 Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL

Best Nursing Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Nursing Schools 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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