Compare the best BSN, MSN, ADN, and RN programs in Illinois. Tuition costs, NCLEX pass rates, accreditation, and unique program highlights for prospective nursing students.
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Nursing Programs in Illinois
UIC College of Nursing is one of the largest nursing schools in the U.S., ranked among the top programs nationally. Students have clinical access to UI Health, Rush University Medical Center, and John H. Stroger Hospital.
Rush University College of Nursing is embedded within Rush University Medical Center — a Magnet-designated, top-ranked Chicago hospital.
Top public nursing school in Illinois with extensive Chicago clinical network
Integrated with Rush University Medical Center; exceptional clinical training
Large suburban Chicago community college ADN with outstanding NCLEX results
Jesuit values-based nursing education integrated with Loyola Medicine
Workforce-focused LPN for north-central Illinois students
Illinois centers on the Chicago metro, home to nationally ranked systems such as Northwestern Memorial, Rush, and the University of Chicago Medicine, with additional demand across Springfield, Peoria, and the state's many community and rural hospitals. The result is a robust job market for new and experienced nurses alike.
The state offers community-college ADN programs that provide an affordable route to RN licensure, BSN degrees through public universities and private institutions, accelerated second-degree options, and a strong selection of MSN and advanced-practice programs concentrated around Chicago. With many programs to choose from, comparing NCLEX pass rates and accreditation closely is worthwhile.
Licensure is handled by the Illinois Board of Nursing, which operates under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. One important planning note: Illinois is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Illinois RNs hold a single-state license, and nurses moving from other states — including those with a compact multistate license — must apply for Illinois licensure by endorsement before practicing.
Licensing authority: Illinois Board of Nursing.