2027 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Illinois
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing practice education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing practice students.
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2027 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing practice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $20,500. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,290. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of St Francis earned it the #2 place for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Students borrow a median of $30,700 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $94,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
A rank of #3 makes Governors State University one of the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,342 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $91,087. That is a strong return on a $27,342 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $91,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned it the #5 place for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $23,043 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $118,455 early in their careers. Set against $23,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
North Park University landed the #6 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Lewis University placed #7 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $90,066. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Illinois State University came in at #8 for value in nursing practice this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $23,075 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $90,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Millikin University placed #9 among the best values for nursing practice. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $165,637. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $95,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College landed the #11 spot for nursing practice value this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $51,232. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University landed the #12 spot for nursing practice value this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,340. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $140,906. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,536 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $39,146. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois generally make around $109,135. Set against $39,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $111,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
More Nursing Practice Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
