Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Illinois (2026)
30 nursing programs at Illinois schools and campuses list tuition — the lowest is University of Illinois Chicago's RN to BSN at $10,200 total. Online programs from 40 more out-of-state schools also enroll Illinois residents, from $8,100.
Key takeaways for Illinois tuition
- Tuition at Illinois schools and campuses ranges from $10,200 to $180,000 total.
- Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.
Partner programs in Illinois.
Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.
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Compare tuition and financial aid for Illinois nursing programs
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois ChicagoRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,200 |
| Chamberlain UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 9 months | Online | 9 mo | $20,460 |
| Rasmussen UniversityLPNOn Campus · 12 months | On Campus | 12 mo | $21,000 |
| DePaul UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $21,000 |
| University of Illinois ChicagoMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $25,300 |
| Chamberlain UniversityMSN — Nurse EducatorOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $30,780 |
| Chamberlain UniversityMSN — Nursing AdministrationOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $30,780 |
| Chamberlain UniversityMSN — Nursing InformaticsOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $30,780 |
| Rasmussen UniversityADNOn Campus · 24 months | On Campus | 24 mo | $36,000 |
| Loyola University ChicagoMSN — Nursing AdministrationOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $39,600 |
| Chamberlain UniversityMSN — Nurse Practitioner (FNP)Online · 36 months | Online | 36 mo | $40,020 |
| DePaul UniversityMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $42,000 |
| University of Illinois ChicagoDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $44,000 |
| Chamberlain UniversityDNPOnline · 36 months | Online | 36 mo | $45,000 |
| DePaul UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 24 months | Hybrid | 24 mo | $52,500 |
| Loyola University ChicagoMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $52,800 |
| Rush UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 24 months | Hybrid | 24 mo | $55,200 |
| Arizona College of NursingAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 28 months | On Campus | 28 mo | $56,000 |
| Rush UniversityAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 16 months | On Campus | 16 mo | $58,000 |
| University of Illinois ChicagoBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $60,000 |
| Chamberlain UniversityBSN (Pre-Licensure Hybrid)Hybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $69,000 |
| Chamberlain UniversityBSN (Pre-Licensure)On Campus · 36 months | On Campus | 36 mo | $69,000 |
| Rush UniversityDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $72,000 |
| Loyola University ChicagoDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $72,000 |
| DePaul UniversityDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $73,000 |
| University of Illinois ChicagoPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $85,000 |
| Rush UniversityBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $120,000 |
| Rush UniversityPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $130,000 |
| Loyola University ChicagoBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $160,000 |
| DePaul UniversityBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $180,000 |
Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.
Cheapest online programs open to Illinois residents
These schools are based outside Illinois but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $8,100 |
| Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,000 |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,600 |
| University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,600 |
| American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $9,720 |
| Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,900 |
| Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $10,400 |
| Arizona State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,570 |
| University of CincinnatiRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,800 |
| University of Maryland — BaltimoreRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $11,400 |
Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in Illinois
Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in Illinois is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.
Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, Illinois state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.
Measure payback, not price. At Illinois’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.
Career Outlook for Illinois Nurses
Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.
At or near the 6% national average. Demand remains stable across most specialties.
Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.
Illinois requires a collaborative agreement for at least one practice element. NPs can still practice broadly but cannot fully prescribe independently.
Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.
Already licensed? Next credentials for Illinois nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Illinois often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Illinois include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. Illinois is a reduced-practice state: nurse practitioners must maintain a career-long collaborative agreement with another health provider for at least one element of practice (often prescriptive authority), which limits fully independent practice.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in Illinois
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in Illinois
Illinois is a reduced-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in Illinois
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in Illinois.
Related Pages
How much does nursing school cost in Illinois?
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Illinois with financial aid?
Are affordable nursing programs in Illinois as good as expensive ones?
How strong is the nursing job market in Illinois?
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Illinois?
Compare nursing programs in Illinois
- All nursing programs in Illinois
- Online nursing programs in IllinoisPrograms delivered primarily online for students who can't relocate.
- No-waitlist nursing schools in IllinoisPrograms reporting open seats rather than a waitlist queue.
- Accelerated BSN programs in IllinoisSecond-degree tracks for applicants who already hold a bachelor's.
- Fastest programs in Illinois
- ADN programs in IllinoisAssociate-degree and community-college routes to RN licensure.
- BSN programs in IllinoisFour-year pre-licensure bachelor's degrees for first-time RNs.