2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for nursing practice in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,290. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

2

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Millikin University, which ranked #2. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Nursing Practice graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $58,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.

3

Governors State University
University Park, IL

A rank of #3 makes Governors State University one of the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $27,342 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $91,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

4

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $91,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

5

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

A rank of #5 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,043. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $118,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

6

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis placed #6 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Students borrow a median of $30,700 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $94,166. That is a strong return on a $30,700 median debt. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.

7

North Park University
Chicago, IL

North Park University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $89,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.

8

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #8 among the best values for nursing practice. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $90,066. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

9

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $23,075 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $90,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

10

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.

11

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University placed #11 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $95,389. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

12

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
Addison, IL

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois placed #12 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,536. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earn a median of $109,135 early in their careers. Set against $39,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

13

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #13 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $140,906 early in their careers. Set against $25,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.

14

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago placed #14 among the best values for nursing practice. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $111,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.