2027 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in Illinois

[Nursing Science](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing science schools.
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2027 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Saint Xavier University the best value for a degree in nursing science in Illinois. 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. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,188. Nursing Science graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $95,130 early in their careers. Set against $27,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science 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 Governors State University earned it the #3 place for nursing science. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,342. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $91,087. Set against $27,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for nursing science. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $91,491. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at North Park University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of North Park University earn a median of $89,721 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #6 among the best values for nursing science. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $23,075 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $90,432. That is a strong return on a $23,075 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Benedictine University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $17,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $90,860. That is a strong return on a $17,188 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $25,340. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $55,390. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #9 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $111,912. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 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.