Nursing programs in Illinois produce graduates with median earnings of $74,172, significantly outpacing the national average for healthcare careers. Across 24 programs, earnings range from $63,005 to $97,713, demonstrating how program selection directly impacts career trajectories in nursing degree pathways.
Leading the list is Governors State University, achieving the highest program earnings at $97,713. Following closely are Mckendree University at $82,082 and Benedictine University at $81,995, with these top-performing BSN programs delivering exceptional graduate outcomes that justify their positioning in the rankings.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Rockford, IL | $79,997 Median Nursing Earnings | — | — | — | |
| #22 | Mckendree UniversityPrivate | Lebanon, IL | $79,916 Median Nursing Earnings | $21,928 | 71.7% | 53.3% |
| #23 | Trinity Christian CollegePrivate | Palos Heights, IL | $79,811 Median Nursing Earnings | $12,891 | 84.9% | 57.5% |
| #24 | Springfield, IL | $79,694 Median Nursing Earnings | — | — | — | |
| #25 | Elmhurst UniversityPrivate | Elmhurst, IL | $79,372 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,892 | 73.6% | 70.0% |
| #26 | Quincy, IL | $79,303 Median Nursing Earnings | — | — | — | |
| #27 | Quincy UniversityPrivate | Quincy, IL | $78,599 Median Nursing Earnings | $16,502 | 50.9% | 45.0% |
| #28 | Roosevelt UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $75,716 Median Nursing Earnings | $18,018 | 97.2% | 35.1% |
| #29 | Peoria, IL | $73,765 Median Nursing Earnings | — | — | — | |
| #30 | Rockford UniversityPrivate | Rockford, IL | $70,537 Median Nursing Earnings | $20,877 | 92.9% | 47.2% |
| #31 | Charleston, IL | $70,176 Median Nursing Earnings | $9,828 | 65.3% | 47.4% | |
| #32 | Dekalb, IL | $65,924 Median Nursing Earnings | $10,126 | 69.8% | 48.7% |
