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2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois

15 Ranked Colleges
971 Degrees Awarded
$18,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 313,362 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 971 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,900 and $148,219 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois” ranking looked at 15 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 Doctorate in Illinois” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois doctor’s degree nursing students.

Top 17 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in Illinois

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #1 spot on the list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 67 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300.

Read full report on Nursing at SIUE

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Chamberlain University - Illinois. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois. Chamberlain University - Illinois is located in Addison, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 365 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chamberlain - Illinois, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’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 Chamberlain University - Illinois are $14,090.

Full Chamberlain - Illinois Nursing Report

#3

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois list. Illinois State University is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’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 Illinois State are $11,069.

Read full report on Nursing at Illinois State University

#4

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bradley University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 53 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois doctor’s degree nursing students list, Bradley has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’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 Bradley University are $17,040.

Read more about Nursing at Bradley University

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #5 spot on the list. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 125 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’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 University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036.

Full UIC Nursing Report

#6

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Lewis University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois list. Lewis is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Romeoville, Illinois. It awarded 9 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Lewis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’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 Lewis are $14,780.

Read more about Nursing at Lewis

#7

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois list. Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Loyola Chicago Nursing Report

#8

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

McKendree University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois ranking. Lebanon, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

McKendree also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’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 McKendree are $9,324.

Read full report on Nursing at McKendree University

#9

Oak Point University

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Oak Point University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Oak Point did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oak Point University are $14,455, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at Oak Point

#10

Saint Anthony College of Nursing

Rockford, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Saint Anthony College of Nursing landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois ranking. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SACN, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’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 Saint Anthony College of Nursing are $18,857.

Read more about Nursing at SACN

#10

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

Governors State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois ranking. GSU is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

GSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Governors State University are $14,674, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Governors State University Nursing Report

#15 in overall quality

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois ranking. Located in Peoria, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’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 Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing are $8,730.

Read more about Nursing at Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

#11

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois ranking, coming in at #11. University of St Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 2 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of St Francis are $13,839, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at University of St Francis

#12

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois doctor’s degree nursing students list, DePaul has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’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 DePaul University are $19,760.

Read full report on Nursing at DePaul University

#13

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Decatur, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Millikin, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’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 Millikin University are $23,733.

Read more about Nursing at Millikin

#14

Rush University

Chicago, Illinois

Rush University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 219 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois doctor’s degree nursing students list, Rush University has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rush University are $37,207, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Rush University Nursing Report

#6 in overall quality

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois ranking. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is located in North Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

RFUMS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science are $36,765, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Nursing Report

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.

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