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# Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

This page ranks the 32 Nursing programs in Illinois by the median earnings of Nursing graduates four years after completing. [Benedictine University](/school/benedictine-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, and [Chicago State University](/school/chicago-state-university/majors/) reports the highest figure at $92,024.

Across the listed schools, median earnings range from $97,934 to $65,924, with a median of $83,220. For 2 of the 32 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

The list includes 8 public and 24 private nonprofit institutions. Saint Xavier University posts the lowest average net price at $10,970, while Bradley University reports the highest six-year completion rate at 76%.

University of Illinois Chicago ranks 17th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.

## The ranked list

32 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Nursing Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Benedictine University · Lisle, IL | $97,934 | $22,313 | $20,168 | 95.2% |
|  | [Benedictine University](/school/benedictine-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, reporting [$97,934 in median earnings](/school/benedictine-university/outcomes/) for its Nursing graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (80 graduates), Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (55 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($97,934), Health/Medical Preparatory Programs ($50,130) |
| 2 | Chicago State University · Chicago, IL | $92,024 | $12,335 | $9,073 | 43.3% |
|  | A public university in Chicago, [Chicago State University](/school/chicago-state-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $12,335](/school/chicago-state-university/cost/) alongside a six-year completion rate of 15%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (26 graduates), Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($92,024) |
| 3 | Governors State University · University Park, IL | $88,391 | $12,329 | $9,563 | 48.3% |
|  | [Governors State University](/school/governors-state-university/majors/) [admits 48% of applicants](/school/governors-state-university/admissions/) and its Nursing graduates earn a median of $88,391 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Public Health (44 graduates), Health and Medical Administrative Services (22 graduates), Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($88,391), Health and Medical Administrative Services ($53,227), Public Health ($51,027) |
| 4 | Loyola University Chicago · Chicago, IL | $87,922 | $36,079 | $28,992 | 81.6% |
|  | With an [average net price of $36,079,](/school/loyola-university-chicago/cost/) [Loyola University Chicago](/school/loyola-university-chicago/majors/) sits at 4th on this list and graduates 73% of its students within six years. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (415 graduates), Health and Medical Administrative Services (32 graduates), Public Health (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($87,922), Health and Medical Administrative Services ($82,040) |
| 5 | University of St Francis · Joliet, IL | $87,383 | $13,006 | $8,547 | 65.3% |
|  | [University of St Francis](/school/university-of-st-francis/majors/) reports [$87,383 in median earnings](/school/university-of-st-francis/outcomes/) for its Nursing graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $8,547 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (127 graduates), Health and Medical Administrative Services (67 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($87,383), Health and Medical Administrative Services ($79,421) |
| 6 | Saint Xavier University · Chicago, IL | $87,170 | $10,970 | $7,572 | 84.3% |
|  | Ranking 6th on this list, [Saint Xavier University](/school/saint-xavier-university/majors/) holds an [average net price of $10,970](/school/saint-xavier-university/cost/) and an admission rate of 84%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (138 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (27 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($87,170) |
| 7 | University of Illinois Chicago · Chicago, IL | $87,037 | $10,974 | $7,529 | 77.4% |
|  | [University of Illinois Chicago](/school/university-of-illinois-chicago/majors/) [ranks 17th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-illinois-chicago/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Nursing graduates earn a median of $87,037 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (296 graduates), Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (164 graduates), Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (71 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($87,037), Health and Medical Administrative Services ($66,694) |
| 8 | Bradley University · Peoria, IL | $86,941 | $22,719 | $17,269 | 76.8% |
|  | [Bradley University](/school/bradley-university/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 76%](/school/bradley-university/outcomes/) and median earnings of $86,941 for its Nursing graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (79 graduates), Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (41 graduates), Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($86,941), Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other ($67,735) |
| 9 | Western Illinois University · Macomb, IL | $86,694 | $12,937 | $6,941 | 71.2% |
|  | A public university in Macomb, [Western Illinois University](/school/western-illinois-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $6,941](/school/western-illinois-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and an admission rate of 71%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (28 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (20 graduates), Health and Medical Administrative Services (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($86,694), Health and Medical Administrative Services ($56,771) |
| 10 | North Park University · Chicago, IL | $86,581 | $16,948 | $14,845 | 68.5% |
|  | North Park University reports median earnings of $86,581 for its Nursing graduates four years after completing, and a six-year completion rate of 58%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (64 graduates), Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($86,581) |
| 11 | Lewis University · Romeoville, IL | $85,320 | $17,028 | $10,382 | 71.3% |
|  | Ranking 11th on this list, [Lewis University](/school/lewis-university/majors/) [admits 71% of applicants](/school/lewis-university/admissions/) and posts an average net price of $17,028. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (111 graduates), Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (6 graduates), Health and Medical Administrative Services (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($85,320) |
| 12 | Olivet Nazarene University · Bourbonnais, IL | $84,705 | $20,729 | $17,232 | 55.9% |
|  | [Olivet Nazarene University](/school/olivet-nazarene-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $84,705](/school/olivet-nazarene-university/outcomes/) for its Nursing graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $17,232 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (87 graduates), Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($84,705) |
| 13 | Illinois Wesleyan University · Bloomington, IL | $84,527 | $28,199 | $17,732 | 39.3% |
|  | Illinois Wesleyan University admits 39% of applicants and reports a six-year completion rate of 75%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (53 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($84,527) |
| 14 | Aurora University · Aurora, IL | $84,022 | $18,838 | $14,525 | 80.9% |
|  | [Aurora University](/school/aurora-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $84,022](/school/aurora-university/outcomes/) for its Nursing graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $18,838. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (158 graduates), Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (40 graduates), Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (34 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($84,022), Health/Medical Preparatory Programs ($52,987) |
| 15 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville · Edwardsville, IL | $83,867 | $14,889 | $8,483 | 97.5% |
|  | A public university in Edwardsville, [Southern Illinois University Edwardsville](/school/southern-illinois-university-edwardsville/majors/) ranks 15th on this list and carries an [average net price of $14,889](/school/southern-illinois-university-edwardsville/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (479 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (24 graduates), Public Health (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($83,867) |
| 16 | Lakeview College of Nursing · Danville, IL | $83,636 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
|  | Lakeview College of Nursing reports median earnings of $83,636 for its Nursing graduates four years after completing and ranks 738th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (61 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($83,636) |
| 17 | Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences · Rock Island, IL | $82,804 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
|  | Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences shows median earnings of $82,804 for its Nursing graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (47 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($82,804) |
| 18 | Millikin University · Decatur, IL | $82,200 | $21,989 | $18,659 | 66.7% |
|  | Millikin University graduates 55% of its students within six years and reports an average net price of $21,989. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (55 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($82,200) |
| 19 | Illinois State University · Normal, IL | $81,264 | $19,398 | $11,568 | 88.2% |
|  | [Illinois State University](/school/illinois-state-university/majors/) [ranks 137th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/illinois-state-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts median earnings of $81,264 for its Nursing graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (207 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (92 graduates), Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Health ($84,790), Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($81,264), Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($73,220) |
| 20 | Dominican University · River Forest, IL | $80,703 | $11,745 | $9,759 | 90.3% |
|  | [Dominican University](/school/dominican-university/majors/) [admits 90% of applicants](/school/dominican-university/admissions/) and records median earnings of $80,703 for its Nursing graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (37 graduates), Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (36 graduates), Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (10 graduates) |
| 21 | Saint Anthony College of Nursing · Rockford, IL | $79,997 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
|  | Saint Anthony College of Nursing reports median earnings of $79,997 for its Nursing graduates four years after completing and ranks 725th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (62 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($79,997) |
| 22 | McKendree University · Lebanon, IL | $79,916 | $24,717 | $21,928 | 71.7% |
|  | McKendree University admits 72% of applicants and reports a six-year completion rate of 53%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (69 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($79,916) |
| 23 | Trinity Christian College · Palos Heights, IL | $79,811 | $19,125 | $12,891 | 84.9% |
|  | Trinity Christian College posts median earnings of $79,811 for its Nursing graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $19,125. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($79,811) |
| 24 | St. John's College · Springfield, IL | $79,694 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
|  | St. John's College reports median earnings of $79,694 for its Nursing graduates four years after completing and ranks 890th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (49 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($79,694) |
| 25 | Elmhurst University · Elmhurst, IL | $79,372 | $24,185 | $17,892 | 73.6% |
|  | [Elmhurst University](/school/elmhurst-university/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Elmhurst, reports a [six-year completion rate of 70%](/school/elmhurst-university/outcomes/) and an average net price of $24,185. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (56 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($79,372) |
| 26 | Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences · Quincy, IL | $79,303 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
|  | Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences ranks 26th on this list with median earnings of $79,303 for its Nursing graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (53 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($79,303) |
| 27 | Quincy University · Quincy, IL | $78,599 | $20,359 | $16,502 | 50.9% |
|  | [Quincy University](/school/quincy-university/majors/) [admits 51% of applicants](/school/quincy-university/admissions/) and posts an average net price of $16,502 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (20 graduates) |
| 28 | Roosevelt University · Chicago, IL | $75,716 | $20,194 | $18,018 | 97.2% |
|  | [Roosevelt University](/school/roosevelt-university/majors/) [ranks 699th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/roosevelt-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside a 97% admission rate. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (31 graduates), Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (19 graduates), Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (15 graduates) |
| 29 | Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing · Peoria, IL | $73,765 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
|  | Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing reports median earnings of $73,765 for its Nursing graduates four years after completing, ranking 29th on this page. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (114 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,765) |
| 30 | Rockford University · Rockford, IL | $70,537 | $22,436 | $20,877 | 92.9% |
|  | Rockford University graduates 47% of its students within six years and shows an average net price of $22,436. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (48 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($70,537) |
| 31 | Eastern Illinois University · Charleston, IL | $70,176 | $12,786 | $9,828 | 65.4% |
|  | [Eastern Illinois University](/school/eastern-illinois-university/majors/), a public university in Charleston, reports [median earnings of $70,176](/school/eastern-illinois-university/outcomes/) for its Nursing graduates two years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (46 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (14 graduates), Health and Medical Administrative Services (7 graduates) |
| 32 | Northern Illinois University · Dekalb, IL | $65,924 | $13,391 | $10,126 | 69.8% |
|  | [Northern Illinois University](/school/northern-illinois-university/majors/) [ranks 116th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/northern-illinois-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts an average net price of $10,126 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (166 graduates), Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (153 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (47 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($76,856), Health/Medical Preparatory Programs ($55,778), Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions ($55,586) |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Nursing graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figures are medians for federally aided Nursing graduates who were working and not enrolled after completing. For 2 of the 32 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The spread from Benedictine University to the bottom of the list is $32,010.

## Job market context in Illinois

Nursing graduates in Illinois enter a labor market linked to occupations such as Nursing Assistants, Registered Nurses, and Medical Assistants. The median annual wage across those occupations is $67,040, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $54,685. The state projects about 442 openings a year for every hundred graduates, with more projected openings than graduates. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 8.9% higher. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, not the occupation-wide figures described here.

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