2026 Best Nursing Schools in Illinois

1

Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science
North Chicago, IL

Leading the list is Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science, our #1 school for nursing. Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Chicago. Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science awarded about 37 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science earn around $223,679 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full nursing details for Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science

2

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 387 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $111,912 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full nursing program report for Loyola University Chicago

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 579 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $87,290 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

4

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 341 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Illinois State University earn around $90,432 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $23,075 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Illinois State University

5

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 435 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $118,455. Typical student debt for the program is $23,043. More information about a degree in nursing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

6

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lisle. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 92 nursing degrees were awarded at Benedictine University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $90,860. Typical student debt for the program is $17,188. More information about a degree in nursing from Benedictine University

7

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County placed #7 among the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. About 71 nursing degrees were awarded at College Of Lake County in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $72,472 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,005. Get the full nursing details for College Of Lake County

8

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #8 among the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 217 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $90,066 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full nursing program report for Lewis University

9

Rush University
Chicago, IL

Rush University landed the #9 spot for nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 387 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rush University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rush University generally make around $100,700. Students borrow a median of $31,206 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Rush University

10

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis placed #10 among the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of St Francis awarded about 154 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $94,166. Students borrow a median of $30,700 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at University Of St Francis

11

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
Addison, IL

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois came in at #11 for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 13,367 nursing degrees were awarded at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earn a median of $109,135 early in their careers. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois

12

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College placed #12 among the best nursing schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Harper College awarded about 80 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Harper College earn a median of $70,929 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Harper College

13

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #13 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College awarded about 178 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $70,086 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,660 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College

14

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. There were roughly 112 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $71,988. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $18,617 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Joliet Junior College

15

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 163 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $91,491 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Northern Illinois University

16

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College landed the #16 spot for nursing this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 219 nursing degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Elmhurst College earn around $79,656 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Elmhurst College

17

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #17 position for nursing this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 45 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

18

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #18 spot for nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Aurora University awarded about 192 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $72,520 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Aurora University

19

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University earned the #19 position for nursing this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 165 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $95,389 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full nursing program report for Bradley University

20

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College earned the #20 position for nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 78 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lake Land College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $63,651 in their early career. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Lake Land College

21

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 203 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Depaul University earn around $140,906 in the first couple years of their career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Depaul University

22

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College came in at #22 for nursing this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. There were roughly 56 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Oakton Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Oakton Community College earn around $69,434 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. Get the full nursing details for Oakton Community College

23

Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois College awarded about 23 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $41,184. Students borrow a median of $26,922 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Illinois College

24

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University placed #24 among the best nursing schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Saint Xavier University graduates 57% of students within six years. About 152 nursing degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $95,130 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $27,188 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Saint Xavier University

25

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Olivet Nazarene University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 132 nursing degrees were awarded at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $85,022 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Olivet Nazarene University