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Best Value Registered Nursing Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Governors State University delivers the strongest return on investment for nursing students in Illinois, with graduates earning $81,491 annually after paying just $9,477 in net costs. This public institution in University Park outperforms most private competitors despite charging significantly less. The state's nursing programs show remarkable cost variation, from Millikin University's $8,837 net price to Lewis University's $18,370, yet all prepare students for Illinois's growing healthcare sector. Chicago's major hospital systems, including Northwestern Medicine and Rush University Medical Center, actively recruit from state nursing programs as Illinois faces a projected nursing shortage. Methodist College achieves the highest graduation rate at 75% while maintaining moderate costs. Public universities generally offer better value propositions, with six of the top ten schools charging under $15,000 in net costs. Illinois nursing graduates enter a market where the median salary exceeds $70,000, making even higher-priced programs financially viable for most students.
33
Programs
$8,837 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$64,918
Avg. Program Earnings
56.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

33 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,477 $81,491 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
2 $8,837 $56,521 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
3 $10,133 $61,814 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
4 $12,093 $65,475 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
5 $12,313 $66,394 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
6 $12,909 $65,924 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
7 $11,592 $58,334 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
8 $14,093 $70,176 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
9 $15,113 $63,005 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
10 $13,696 $56,942 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
11 $16,381 $67,812 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
12 $16,284 $67,166 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
13 $18,470 $73,870 $13,546 40.0%
14 $14,867 $57,619 $18,008 75.0% 33.3%
15 $18,370 $67,995 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
16 $18,191 $63,826 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
17 $18,996 $65,194 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
18 $18,992 $62,661 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
19 $17,324 $55,964 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
20 $21,539 $65,855 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
21 $21,063 $63,832 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
22 $23,529 $69,710 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
23 $24,190 $66,653 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
24 $26,933 $71,315 $20,604 50.0% 90.9%
25 $23,066 $61,020 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
26 $23,572 $62,165 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
27 $29,550 $62,775 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%
28 $35,196 $66,195 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%
29 $20,152 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
30 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
31 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
32 $26,984 $43,930 86.6% 88.4%
33 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $72,654 earnings gap between top and bottom nursing programs?

Governors State University graduates earn $81,491 compared to $56,521 at Millikin University, reflecting differences in clinical partnerships and regional job markets. University Park's proximity to Chicago's major medical centers provides access to higher-paying positions. Geographic location significantly impacts nursing salaries, with Chicago-area hospitals typically offering 15-20% higher compensation than rural facilities. Program reputation and alumni networks also influence starting salary negotiations.

How do public and private nursing programs compare on debt levels?

Public universities typically generate lower debt loads, with Governors State graduates averaging $12,500 compared to private school averages near $26,000. However, Chicago State University shows higher debt at $34,060 despite public status. Private institutions like Dominican University maintain reasonable debt levels at $23,000 while offering smaller class sizes. Students should calculate total debt against expected earnings to determine program value.

Is Methodist College worth considering despite its 33% acceptance rate?

Methodist College maintains the highest graduation rate at 75% while charging $14,867 in net costs, suggesting strong student support systems. The selective 33% acceptance rate indicates competitive admission standards that may benefit career prospects. Graduates earn $57,619 annually, which represents solid value given the school's completion rates. The college's focus on healthcare education creates targeted clinical partnerships throughout central Illinois.

Does University of Illinois Chicago justify its ranking despite higher costs?

UIC charges $12,313 in net costs while producing graduates who earn $66,394, creating strong value proposition for state residents. The 60% graduation rate surpasses most public competitors except Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. UIC's Chicago location provides access to top-tier medical facilities for clinical rotations. The university's research focus prepares students for advanced practice roles that command higher salaries in Illinois healthcare markets.

Where do Illinois nursing graduates find the best job opportunities?

Chicago's healthcare sector employs over 180,000 workers across major systems like Northwestern Medicine, Rush, and University of Chicago Medicine. Suburban Cook County hospitals offer competitive salaries while maintaining lower living costs than downtown Chicago. Rockford, Peoria, and Springfield provide opportunities in mid-sized medical centers with growing populations. Rural Illinois faces nursing shortages, creating job security and often offering loan forgiveness programs for new graduates.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.