2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Administration Schools
Leading the list is Governors State University, our #1 best value for nursing administration in Illinois. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,342 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $91,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,342 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for nursing administration. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,188 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $95,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing administration will find it at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $23,043. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $118,455. Set against $23,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of St Francis one of the best values for nursing administration. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $30,700 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $94,166. That is a strong return on a $30,700 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,676. Students borrow a median of $26,922 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $41,184. That is a strong return on a $26,922 median debt. Illinois College admits about 78% of applicants.
Lewis University earned the #6 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Nursing Administration graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $90,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University placed #7 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $85,022. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Benedictine University placed #8 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $17,188. Nursing Administration graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $90,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University came in at #9 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $95,389. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mckendree University landed the #10 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Students borrow a median of $26,534 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $86,955. Set against $26,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mckendree University admits about 72% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Nursing Administration](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
