2026 Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in Illinois
[Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing-nursing-administration-nursing-research-and-clinical-nursing-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools
Illinois College earned the #1 spot for value among other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools in Illinois. Located in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,676 in tuition and fees. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of Illinois College earn a median of $41,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Illinois State University one of the best values for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,075 in student loans. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $90,432 early in their careers. Set against $23,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $54,513. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earned it the #4 place for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing. 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. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $109,135. That is a strong return on a $39,146 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
