Accelerated BSN Programs in Illinois (2026)

2 accelerated BSN programs for Illinois career changers — partner matches first, then a filterable completion-times directory.

Key takeaways for Illinois ABSN students

  • 2 accelerated BSN programs in our Illinois directory (duration ≤ 24 months).
  • Shortest listed ABSN in Illinois: 16 months.
  • Listed ABSN tuition: $58,000 total.
  • Registered nurses in Illinois earn $91,130/year on average (BLS OES).
  • Illinois is not an NLC compact state; graduates need Illinois licensure (or endorsement) to practice there.

Last verified 2026-09-21.

Limited ABSN listings in Illinois

Our directory currently shows fewer than 5 accelerated BSN programs based in Illinois. Many career changers also enroll in online ABSN programs authorized for Illinois students, with clinical placement coordinated locally. Browse the Illinois nursing program hub for related pathways.

2

ABSN Programs

16 mo

Fastest Option

$58,000

Lowest Tuition

$91K

Avg RN Salary

Accelerated BSN Programs Listed for Illinois

2 accelerated BSN programs — 2 on-campus or hybrid, 0 primarily online.

Free info packetsNo obligationAccredited programs only

Sponsored · Disclosure

2 accelerated BSN programs in our Illinois directory (17 BSN pathways total, including longer tracks). Compare completion times below →

Illinois BSN / ABSN programs by completion time

Among 17 Illinois BSN / ABSN programs with listed completion times, the shortest runs 16 months (Rush University, BSN) and listed durations extend to 48 months. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.

Delivery

Showing 17 of 17 programs. Default order: shortest duration.

Illinois programs sorted by shortest listed completion time; click column headers to re-sort
Rush UniversityBSNOn Campus16$58,000
Loyola University ChicagoBSNHybrid16—
Arizona College of NursingBSNOn Campus28$56,000
Chamberlain UniversityBSNOn Campus36$69,000
Rasmussen UniversityBSNHybrid36$58,000
Chamberlain UniversityBSNHybrid36$69,000
Western Governors UniversityBSNOnline36$35,700
National UniversityBSNOnline36$45,000
Aspen UniversityBSNOnline36$28,800
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesBSNOnline36$52,000
Excelsior UniversityBSNOnline36$30,000
American Public University SystemBSNOnline36$27,000
DePaul UniversityBSNOn Campus48$180,000
University of Illinois ChicagoBSNOn Campus48$60,000
Rush UniversityBSNOn Campus48$120,000
Loyola University ChicagoBSNOn Campus48$160,000
Southern New Hampshire UniversityBSNOnline48$50,400

Source: MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-09-21. Programs without a listed duration are omitted.

Why an Accelerated BSN Is the Fastest Path for Career Changers in Illinois

Illinois lists 2 accelerated tracks against 17 BSN programs overall, the quickest finishing in 16 months. Graduates sit the same NCLEX-RN as traditional BSN graduates and compete for the same Illinois hospital postings.

With registered nurses in Illinois earning an average of $91,130 per year and 5.1% job growth projected through 2032, an ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.

Illinois does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). ABSN graduates who plan to work outside Illinois will need to apply for licensure by endorsement in each additional state.

Weighing an ABSN against a traditional BSN, the ADN-then-RN-to-BSN route, or a direct-entry MSN? Compare the four second-degree pathways — typical length, end credential, and who each one suits.

How to Choose an Accelerated BSN Program in Illinois

Accreditation

Verify accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Illinois hospitals and graduate programs recognize both bodies; non-accredited programs will close doors at hiring.

Clinical Placement Model

Ask whether the program guarantees clinical placement or makes you find your own. In Illinois, urban areas have abundant clinical sites; rural and online ABSNs sometimes leave placement to the student, which can delay graduation.

Total Cost & Aid Eligibility

Listed ABSN tuition in Illinois: $58,000 total. Ask Illinois hospital systems about sponsorship that pays tuition against a 2–3 year post-graduation employment commitment — availability is regional, and it is the single largest lever on net cost.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Track Record

Compare first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates across Illinois ABSN programs. A pattern of 90%+ first-time pass rates indicates strong curriculum and student support; rates below 80% are a warning sign.

How long does an accelerated BSN take in Illinois?
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs available to Illinois students typically run 12 to 18 months of full-time, year-round study. Among ABSN programs listed for Illinois, the fastest option is 16 months. ABSN programs compress the BSN curriculum by skipping general-education prerequisites already completed during a prior bachelor's degree.
Which Illinois schools have the shortest nursing completion times?
Among 17 Illinois BSN programs with listed durations, the shortest completion time is 16 months (Rush University). See the completion-times table on this page for the full ranked list. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.
How to get a BSN in 1.3 years in Illinois?
The shortest listed Illinois BSN pathway in our directory is 16 months (1.3 years) at Rush University. Accelerated second-degree ABSN cohorts for career changers commonly finish in 12–18 months after prerequisites. Compare accredited options in the completion-times table below.
Who qualifies for an accelerated BSN program in Illinois?
Rush University and Loyola University Chicago — 2 institutions, 2 accelerated tracks listed for Illinois, the quickest 16 months. Each sets its own admission bar. RN licences are issued by the Illinois board of nursing on a 2-year renewal cycle with 20 CE contact hours required.
How much does an accelerated BSN cost in Illinois?
Among ABSN programs listed for Illinois, total tuition ranges from $58,000 to $58,000. Public university ABSN tuition tends to be lower; private and accelerated-cohort programs are typically higher because they compress 4 years of curriculum into 12–18 months. Federal financial aid, hospital sponsorships, and specialty loans (e.g., Nurse Faculty Loan Program) can offset costs.
Can I do an accelerated BSN online in Illinois?
No. All 2 tracks listed for Illinois — at Rush University and Loyola University Chicago — run campus-based or hybrid, so expect to travel to a physical site for labs.
Is an accelerated BSN worth it in Illinois?
For career changers in Illinois, the math is favorable. RNs in Illinois earn an average of $91,130 per year (BLS May 2024), with 5.1% job growth projected through 2032. An ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs and 4 to 7 years for private programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.
Do Illinois hospitals hire new ABSN graduates?
Yes, but the licence does not travel: Illinois is outside the Nurse Licensure Compact, so working anywhere else means licensure by endorsement — start it before you move, not after.

Illinois Nursing License Information for ABSN Graduates

Renewal Cycle

2 years

CE Hours Required

20 hours

NLC Compact

No — single-state license

Source: Illinois Board of Nursing

Compare nursing programs in Illinois

Illinois nursing reference

NCLEX pass ratesRN salary data$91,130 average (BLS).Nursing schoolsScholarshipsLicense requirementsAdmission requirementsHow to become a nurseNursing shortage & outlookFor working adultsLPN to RNRN to BSNFNP programsPMHNP programsNurse midwife programsMSN programsDNP programsCRNA programs

Nearby States

IndianaIowaKentuckyMissouriWisconsin

We collect anonymous, aggregate analytics by default to help us improve the site — no cookies are set and you are not personally identified. Click Accept All to enable cookie-based analytics for more accurate measurement. See our Privacy Policy for details. You can change your choice anytime via Cookie Preferences in the footer.