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 12,203 recent graduates. Graduates earn $63,454 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $64,009.

School choice matters significantly: Governors State University graduates earn $81,491 while St. John's College-Department of Nursing graduates earn $54,996 — a $26,495 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in IL

$63,454

IL Avg. Earnings

$64,009

National Avg.

896

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 (20)

$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

Governors State University

University Park, IL · Public

$81,491

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,988

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: N/A

Chamberlain University-Illinois

Addison, IL · For-Profit

$71,315

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,883

Graduates: 7,000

Acceptance: 88.6%

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

$70,176

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,362

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 67.8%

Benedictine University

Lisle, IL · Private

$69,710

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $72,536

Graduates: 128

Acceptance: 77.2%

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL · Private

$67,995

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,192

Graduates: 87

Acceptance: 72.7%

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, IL · Private

$67,812

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,497

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: 88.6%

University of St Francis

Joliet, IL · Private

$67,166

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,208

Graduates: 165

Acceptance: 63.9%

McKendree University

Lebanon, IL · Private

$66,653

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,935

Graduates: 88

Acceptance: 63.9%

Oak Point University

Oak Brook, IL ·

$66,521

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,110

Graduates: 474

Acceptance: N/A

#10

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$66,394

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,021

Graduates: 304

Acceptance: 78.5%

#11

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$66,195

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $66,111

Graduates: 417

Acceptance: 81.4%

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$65,924

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,111

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 70.5%

#13

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL · Private

$65,855

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,658

Graduates: 257

Acceptance: 66.9%

#14

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL · Private

$65,475

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,595

Graduates: 252

Acceptance: 85.8%

#15

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$65,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,829

Graduates: 249

Acceptance: 89.0%

#16

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL · Private

$63,832

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,229

Graduates: 101

Acceptance: 75.7%

#17

North Park University

Chicago, IL · Private

$63,826

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,814

Graduates: 100

Acceptance: 72.8%

#18

Dominican University

River Forest, IL · Private

$63,005

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,717

Graduates: 63

Acceptance: 79.8%

#19

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL · Private

$62,775

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $66,460

Graduates: 58

Acceptance: 45.2%

#20

Aurora University

Aurora, IL · Private

$62,661

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,536

Graduates: 299

Acceptance: 85.1%

#21

Saint Anthony College of Nursing

Rockford, IL · Private

$62,183

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,718

Graduates: 149

Acceptance: 100.0%

#22

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

$62,165

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,749

Graduates: 133

Acceptance: 76.7%

#23

Chicago State University

Chicago, IL · Public

$61,814

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,393

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: 40.5%

#24

Rockford University

Rockford, IL · Private

$61,020

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,920

Graduates: 91

Acceptance: 57.2%

#25

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

Peoria, IL ·

$59,674

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,788

Graduates: 166

Acceptance: N/A

#26

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$58,334

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,966

Graduates: 48

Acceptance: 75.0%

#27

Lakeview College of Nursing

Danville, IL ·

$58,092

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,993

Graduates: 194

Acceptance: N/A

#28

Methodist College

Peoria, IL · Private

$57,619

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,684

Graduates: 268

Acceptance: 31.1%

#29

Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Quincy, IL ·

$57,149

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,379

Graduates: 98

Acceptance: N/A

#30

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$56,942

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,394

Graduates: 532

Acceptance: 97.2%

#31

Millikin University

Decatur, IL · Private

$56,521

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,878

Graduates: 66

Acceptance: 54.0%

#32

Quincy University

Quincy, IL · Private

$55,964

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,936

Graduates: 69

Acceptance: 49.9%

#33

Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Rock Island, IL · Private

$54,996

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,179

Graduates: 85

Acceptance: N/A

#34

St. John's College-Department of Nursing

Springfield, IL ·

$54,996

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,949

Graduates: 100

Acceptance: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Illinois?

Governors State University ranks #1 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $81,491 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 $63,454 within two years of graduation. This is 1% below the national average of $64,009 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 71.7%.

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 20 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Mathematics and Computer Science $76,967 Chemical Engineering $69,173 Industrial Engineering $69,102 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $68,897 Engineering, General $67,238 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Materials Engineering $64,773

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.