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2026 Best Nursing Science Schools in Illinois

7 Colleges in the United States
402 Nursing Science Degrees Awarded
$88,336 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their nursing science programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for nursing science students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for Nursing Science in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing science education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Nursing Science

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best school in the country for a degree in nursing science. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 110 nursing science degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $87,290 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full nursing science program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

2

Benedictine University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 57 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine University in the most recent data year. Nursing Science graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $90,860 early in their careers. Benedictine University graduates carry a median of $17,188 in student loans. Read more about the nursing science program at Benedictine University

3
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #3 makes Rush University one of the top schools for nursing science. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Rush University awarded about 160 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Rush University earn around $100,700 in the first couple years of their career. Rush University graduates carry a median of $31,206 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing science from Rush University

4

Northern Illinois University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing science, ranking #4. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 35 nursing science degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $91,491 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing science from Northern Illinois University

5

North Park University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best nursing science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. North Park University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at North Park University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $89,721. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in nursing science from North Park University

6
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University landed the #6 spot for nursing science this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Governors State University graduates 21% of students within six years. About 18 nursing science degrees were awarded at Governors State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $91,087. Typical student debt for the program is $27,342. Get the full nursing science details for Governors State University

7

Trinity College Of Nursing And Health Sciences came in at #7 for nursing science this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Trinity College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. Trinity College Of Nursing And Health Sciences awarded about 12 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $67,202 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,500. See the full nursing science program report for Trinity College Of Nursing And Health Sciences

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 11 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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