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2026 Best Nursing Practice Schools in Illinois

8 Colleges in the United States
1,082 Nursing Practice Degrees Awarded
$104,470 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing Practice degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best nursing practice schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Nursing Practice in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Nursing Practice

1

Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing practice. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 13 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $111,912 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full nursing practice program report for Loyola University Chicago

2

Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 102 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $87,290 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full nursing practice program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

3

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #3. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. About 88 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $118,455 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,043 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

4
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #4 makes Rush University one of the top schools for nursing practice. Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 227 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Rush University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Rush University earn a median of $100,700 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,206 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Rush University

5

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 588 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois generally make around $109,135. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois

6

Bradley University earned the #6 position for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 18 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $95,389 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Bradley University

7
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #7 among the best nursing practice schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 36 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $140,906 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Depaul University

8

Saint Anthony College Of Nursing earned the #8 position for nursing practice this year. Saint Anthony College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. There were roughly 10 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Saint Anthony College Of Nursing in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Saint Anthony College Of Nursing earn around $71,970 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at Saint Anthony College Of Nursing

View All Nursing Practice Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 18 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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