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2027 Best Nursing Practice Schools in Illinois

10 Colleges in the United States
1,100 Nursing Practice Degrees Awarded
$99,718 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing Practice is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools to find the best for nursing practice students.

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

University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing practice. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 94 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $87,290 in their early career. 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

2

Illinois State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 10 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $90,432. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $23,075 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Illinois State University

3

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 86 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data 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. Read more about the nursing practice program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

4

A rank of #4 makes Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois one of the top schools for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit university. About 42% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 587 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. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois

5

Bradley University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $95,389 in their early career. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full nursing practice details for Bradley University

6

Northern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for nursing practice this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $91,491 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at Northern Illinois University

7
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL

Rush University landed the #7 spot for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 211 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Rush University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $100,700 in their early career. Rush University graduates carry a median of $31,206 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at Rush University

8

Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing came in at #8 for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit institution. Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing awarded about 34 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing earn a median of $91,413 early in their careers. Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing

9
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 31 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $140,906. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at Depaul University

10

Saint Anthony College Of Nursing placed #10 among the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Saint Anthony College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit university. 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. Saint Anthony College Of Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Get the full nursing practice details for Saint Anthony College Of Nursing

View All Nursing Practice Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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