Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

18 Ranked Colleges
5,125 Degrees Awarded
$16,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master's in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 313,362 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 21,261 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $67,215 and $24,483 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 5,125 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,267 and $46,814 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality nursing programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the nursing program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid.

Top 18 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in Illinois (With Aid)

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 103 students in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Illinois at Chicago

#2

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Governors State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Governors State University is located in University Park, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

GSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at GSU are $14,674.

Full GSU Nursing Report

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #3 spot on the list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

SIUE also took the #12 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Nursing Report

#4

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Xavier University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. SXU is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 71 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SXU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SXU are $15,450, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at Saint Xavier University

#5

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of St Francis. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 75 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Saint Francis, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Saint Francis are $13,839.

Read more about Nursing at University of St Francis

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Full Northern Illinois University Nursing Report

#7

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Romeoville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 102 students in 2019-2020.

Lewis also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis are $14,780.

Read more about Nursing at Lewis University

#8

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

North Park University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 52 diplomas to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

North Park also took the #10 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Park University are $14,076, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at North Park University

#9

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Olivet Nazarene University is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 96 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Olivet Nazarene, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Olivet Nazarene are $13,393.

Full Olivet Nazarene Nursing Report

#10

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree nursing students with aid list, Illinois State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069.

Read full report on Nursing at Illinois State University

#11

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

With a ranking of #11, Elmhurst University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Elmhurst is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elmhurst, Illinois. It awarded 47 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Elmhurst are $32,300.

Read full report on Nursing at Elmhurst

With a ranking of #12, Chamberlain University - Illinois did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Chamberlain University - Illinois is a large school located in Addison, Illinois that handed out 3,640 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chamberlain - Illinois, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chamberlain University - Illinois are $14,090, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Chamberlain University - Illinois

#13

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Lebanon, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

McKendree not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at McKendree are $9,324, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at McKendree

#14

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Bradley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 105 students in 2019-2020.

Bradley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bradley are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Bradley

#15

Benedictine University

Lisle, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Benedictine University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Benedictine U is a small school located in Lisle, Illinois that handed out 166 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Benedictine U, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Benedictine U are $19,709.

Read full report on Nursing at Benedictine University

#16

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. DePaul is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 207 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

DePaul also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at DePaul University

#17

Saint Anthony College of Nursing

Rockford, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Saint Anthony College of Nursing did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Saint Anthony College of Nursing is a small school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 3 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

SACN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SACN are $18,857.

Full SACN Nursing Report

#18

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 79 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154.

Full Loyola Chicago Nursing Report

Switch to a Similar Major

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

Featured Nursing Schools

Find Schools Near You