Nursing Schools in Illinois: Campus & Online Programs (2026)
Compare 20 campus-based nursing schools in Illinois — plus accredited online programs open to Illinois residents. NCLEX pass rates, acceptance rates, and accreditation in one place.
Illinois has 20 campus-based nursing schools plus 41 accredited online programs open to residents (2026). Loyola University Chicago leads the in-state list with a 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Registered nurses in Illinois earn about $91,130/year (BLS). Verify each program's ACEN or CCNE accreditation before enrolling.
Key takeaways — nursing schools in Illinois
- Illinois has 20 campus-based nursing schools and 41 accredited online programs available to residents.
- Loyola University Chicago leads the in-state list, with a 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
- Registered nurses in Illinois earn an average of $91,130 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Verify each program's ACEN or CCNE accreditation before enrolling — it is the baseline for federal financial aid, NCLEX eligibility, and graduate nursing study.
- Online pre-licensure programs must hold Illinois Board of Nursing approval and arrange in-state clinical placements — verify both before enrolling.
Campus-Based Nursing Schools in Illinois
Nursing schools with a campus in Illinois, ranked by NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and program quality.
Online Nursing Programs Available to Illinois Residents
These accredited schools are based outside Illinois but enroll Illinois residents online. Confirm clinical-placement and Illinois Board of Nursing approval before enrolling in any pre-licensure RN program.
How We Evaluate Nursing Schools in Illinois
We separate schools with a physical campus in Illinois from accredited online programs that enroll Illinois residents, because the two answer different questions — one is about studying locally, the other about studying from Illinois. Within each group we weight NCLEX first-time pass rate most heavily; it is the strongest available predictor of how well a program prepares graduates for licensure.
Accreditation is non-negotiable: we only include schools accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or regionally accredited programs with state board approval. We also consider acceptance rate (program selectivity), program variety across degree levels (LPN through doctoral), and value relative to regional salary expectations. Where a school has not yet reported outcome data, we show it without inventing a number.
What to Look for in a Illinois Nursing School
The most important factor is NCLEX pass rate. The national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates was 86.7% in 2025 (NCSBN), down from 91.2% in 2024. Programs consistently above 90% have demonstrated they effectively prepare students for licensure. Ask schools for their three-year average pass rate — a single good year can be an anomaly.
Accreditation matters for several reasons beyond quality assurance. CCNE- or ACEN-accredited programs make you eligible for federal financial aid, qualify you for military service, and meet the requirements for most graduate nursing programs if you plan to advance your career later.
Consider clinical placement. Hospitals in Illinois often have affiliation agreements with specific nursing schools, giving graduates an inside track to jobs. If you are considering an online program based outside Illinois, confirm that it arranges clinical placements within Illinois and is approved by the Illinois Board of Nursing for pre-licensure study.
Nursing Career Outlook in Illinois
Registered nurses in Illinois earn an average of $91,130 annually. The BLS projects nursing employment to grow 6% nationally through 2032 — faster than the average for all occupations — driven by an aging population and expanded access to healthcare. Illinois is expected to see strong demand in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and home health settings.
BSN-prepared nurses command higher salaries and have access to broader roles. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that 80% of nursing positions now prefer or require a BSN. If you currently hold an ADN, many schools serving Illinoisoffer flexible RN-to-BSN completion programs you can complete while working.
Request Info From Nursing Programs in Illinois
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Advertiser DisclosureBelow are programs currently accepting applications from Illinois residents. Each will send tuition details, start dates, and admission requirements directly — useful for comparing schools and formats beyond the tables above.