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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in Illinois

21 Ranked Colleges
5,125 Degrees Awarded
$17,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master's in Illinois

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in nursing. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality nursing programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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

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

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chamberlain University - Illinois. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Chamberlain - Illinois is located in Addison, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3,640 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Chamberlain - Illinois also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. 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.

Read full report on Nursing at Chamberlain - Illinois

#2

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Illinois State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 29 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Illinois State

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois 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.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree nursing students list, SIUE has also earned the #12 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300.

Read full report on Nursing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#4

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#3 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 Master’s in Illinois. Located in Peoria, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 105 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Bradley also took the #3 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 Bradley University are $17,040.

Read full report on Nursing at Bradley

#5

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of St Francis. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 75 diplomas to qualified masters’s nursing 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 full report on Nursing at University of Saint Francis

#6

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Olivet Nazarene is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 96 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Olivet Nazarene are $13,393, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Nursing Report

#7

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Lewis University is located in Romeoville, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 102 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Lewis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis University are $14,780, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at Lewis

#8

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

North Park University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 52 students in 2019-2020.

North Park also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Park are $14,076, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full North Park Nursing Report

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #9. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing are $8,730.

Read more about Nursing at St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

#10

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 79 masters’s nursing 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Loyola Chicago

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 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 University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Nursing Report

#12

Oak Point University

Chicago, Illinois

Oak Point University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

Oak Point did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oak Point University are $14,455, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Oak Point University Nursing Report

#13

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Governors State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Governors State University is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree nursing students list, GSU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Governors State University are $14,674, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Governors State University

#14

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. McKendree is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Illinois. It awarded 16 masters’s nursing degrees 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at McKendree University are $9,324.

Full McKendree Nursing Report

#15

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 31 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Northern Illinois University

#16

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #16, Saint Xavier University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. SXU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 71 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Xavier University are $15,450, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Saint Xavier University

#17

Benedictine University

Lisle, Illinois

Benedictine University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Lisle, Illinois, and it awarded 166 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Benedictine U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Benedictine University are $19,709, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Benedictine University

#18

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #18. DePaul is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 207 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at DePaul

#19

St. John's College

Springfield, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

St. John’s College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #19. St. John’s is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 9 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

St. John’s did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 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 St. John’s are $17,678.

Full St. John’s College Nursing Report

#20

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #20. Elmhurst University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elmhurst, Illinois. It awarded 47 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Elmhurst are $32,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Elmhurst

#21

Rush University

Chicago, Illinois

Rush University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Rush University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 163 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Rush University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rush University are $37,207, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Rush University Nursing Report

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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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