Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in Illinois
Illinois has 34 colleges offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 11,749 recent graduates. Graduates earn $63,361 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $63,931.
34
Schools in IL
$63,361
IL Avg. Earnings
$63,931
National Avg.
1043
Schools Nationally
Public vs Private: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Illinois
Public Schools (8)
$65,784
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (21)
$63,171
avg. 2yr earnings
Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings
#1
Benedictine University
Lisle, IL · Private
$69,710
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $72,536
Graduates: 128
Acceptance: 77.2%
#2
Chamberlain University-Illinois
Addison, IL · For-Profit
$71,315
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $70,883
Graduates: 7,000
Acceptance: 88.6%
#3
Chicago State University
Chicago, IL · Public
$61,814
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $63,393
Graduates: 53
Acceptance: 40.5%
#4
Governors State University
University Park, IL · Public
$81,491
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $67,988
Graduates: 20
Acceptance: N/A
#5
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private
$66,195
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $66,111
Graduates: 417
Acceptance: 81.4%
#6
University of St Francis
Joliet, IL · Private
$67,166
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $64,208
Graduates: 165
Acceptance: 63.9%
#7
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL · Private
$65,475
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $64,595
Graduates: 252
Acceptance: 85.8%
#8
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL · Public
$66,394
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $65,021
Graduates: 304
Acceptance: 78.5%
#9
Bradley University
Peoria, IL · Private
$62,165
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $62,749
Graduates: 133
Acceptance: 76.7%
#10
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL · Public
$58,334
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $60,966
Graduates: 48
Acceptance: 75.0%
#11
North Park University
Chicago, IL · Private
$63,826
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $64,814
Graduates: 100
Acceptance: 72.8%
#12
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL · Private
$67,995
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $64,192
Graduates: 87
Acceptance: 72.7%
#13
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL · Private
$65,855
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $62,658
Graduates: 257
Acceptance: 66.9%
#14
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL · Private
$62,775
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $66,460
Graduates: 58
Acceptance: 45.2%
#15
Aurora University
Aurora, IL · Private
$62,661
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $63,536
Graduates: 299
Acceptance: 85.1%
#16
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL · Public
$56,942
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $58,394
Graduates: 532
Acceptance: 97.2%
#17
L
Lakeview College of Nursing
Danville, IL ·
$58,092
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $59,993
Graduates: 194
Acceptance: N/A
#18
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Rock Island, IL · Private
$54,996
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $57,179
Graduates: 85
Acceptance: N/A
#19
Millikin University
Decatur, IL · Private
$56,521
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $60,878
Graduates: 66
Acceptance: 54.0%
#20
Illinois State University
Normal, IL · Public
$65,194
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $63,829
Graduates: 249
Acceptance: 89.0%
#21
Dominican University
River Forest, IL · Private
$63,005
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $63,717
Graduates: 63
Acceptance: 79.8%
#22
Saint Anthony College of Nursing
Rockford, IL · Private
$62,183
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $62,718
Graduates: 149
Acceptance: 100.0%
#23
McKendree University
Lebanon, IL · Private
$66,653
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $60,935
Graduates: 88
Acceptance: 63.9%
#24
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL · Private
$67,812
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $65,497
Graduates: 43
Acceptance: 88.6%
#25
S
St. John's College-Department of Nursing
Springfield, IL ·
$54,996
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $56,949
Graduates: 100
Acceptance: N/A
#26
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL · Private
$63,832
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $64,229
Graduates: 101
Acceptance: 75.7%
#27
B
Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Quincy, IL ·
$57,149
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $59,379
Graduates: 98
Acceptance: N/A
#28
Quincy University
Quincy, IL · Private
$55,964
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $59,936
Graduates: 69
Acceptance: 49.9%
#29
Methodist College
Peoria, IL · Private
$57,619
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $57,684
Graduates: 268
Acceptance: 31.1%
#30
Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL · Private
N/A
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $57,680
Graduates: 20
Acceptance: 94.3%
#31
S
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing
Peoria, IL ·
$59,674
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $58,788
Graduates: 166
Acceptance: N/A
#32
Rockford University
Rockford, IL · Private
$61,020
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $58,920
Graduates: 91
Acceptance: 57.2%
#33
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL · Public
$70,176
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $59,362
Graduates: 16
Acceptance: 67.8%
#34
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL · Public
$65,924
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $61,111
Graduates: 30
Acceptance: 70.5%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Illinois?
Benedictine University ranks #1 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $69,710 within two years of graduation. There are 34 schools offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state.
How much do Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn in Illinois?
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates in Illinois earn an average of $63,361 within two years of graduation. This is 1% below the national average of $63,931 for this major.
What is the hardest Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing school to get into in Illinois?
Methodist College is the most selective Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 31.1%. The average acceptance rate across Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state is 72.5%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Illinois?
In Illinois, private Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs produce average earnings of $63,171 vs $65,784 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 8 public and 21 private options in the state.
Other Popular Majors in Illinois
Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318
All colleges in Illinois → Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Other States
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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.