College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in Illinois

30 Colleges in Illinois
5,125 Master's Degrees
$92,695 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #2 in popularity, nursing is one of the most sought-after master's degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 30 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in Illinois ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 5,125 master's degrees in nursing during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in Illinois The nursing master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in Illinois ranking is to help you make that choice.

A high popularity ranking isn't always a sign that a school has a great overall quality ranking for nursing, but it does mean that many students are choosing the school for some reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing
Doctor's Degrees in Nursing
Overall Popularity in Nursing

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for nursing.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in nursing.

10 Most Well Attended Schools for Nursing Students Working on Their Master's

1
3,640 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Best Quality In IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Any student who is interested in a master's degree in nursing has to take a look at Chamberlain University - Illinois. Chamberlain - Illinois is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the large suburb of Addison. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Illinois.

There were approximately 3,640 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain - Illinois in the most recent data year.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $90,300 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in nursing from Chamberlain University - Illinois

2
207 Annual Master's Degrees
#18 Best Quality In IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

DePaul University is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in nursing. Located in the city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

There were approximately 207 nursing students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduation, nursing master's recipients typically earn about $65,800 in their early careers.

More information about a master’s in nursing from DePaul University

3
166 Annual Master's Degrees
#17 Best Quality In IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Benedictine University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in nursing. Located in the large suburb of Lisle, Benedictine U is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were roughly 166 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine U in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, nursing master's recipients generally make around $80,900 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a master’s in nursing from Benedictine University

4
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL
163 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Best Quality In IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Rush University is a popular decision for students pursuing a master's degree in nursing. Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Illinois.

There were about 163 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rush University in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduation, nursing master's recipients usually earn around $66,800 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a master’s in nursing from Rush University

5
105 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Best Quality In IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Illinois.

There were approximately 105 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Bradley in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in nursing from Bradley University

6
103 Annual Master's Degrees
#5 Best Quality In IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

UIC is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Chicago. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Illinois.

There were about 103 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent data year.

Master's students who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $90,400 for their early career.

More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Illinois at Chicago

7
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
102 Annual Master's Degrees
#8 Best Quality In IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large suburb of Romeoville, Lewis is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #8 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Illinois.

There were approximately 102 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Lewis in the most recent data year.

Nursing master's degree recipients from Lewis University get an earnings boost of around $4,705 over the average income of nursing majors.

More information about a master’s in nursing from Lewis University

8
96 Annual Master's Degrees
#10 Best Quality In IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the small suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were roughly 96 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Olivet Nazarene in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the nursing program report average early career income of $87,200.

More information about a master’s in nursing from Olivet Nazarene University

9
79 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Best Quality In IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Illinois.

There were roughly 79 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Chicago in the most recent year we have data available.

Those nursing students who get their master's degree from Loyola University Chicago earn $3,705 more than the typical nursing student.

More information about a master’s in nursing from Loyola University Chicago

10
75 Annual Master's Degrees
#7 Best Quality In IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large suburb of Joliet, University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #7 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Illinois.

There were about 75 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at University of Saint Francis in the most recent year we have data available.

Nursing master's degree recipients from University of St Francis receive an earnings boost of about $6,005 above the average income of nursing graduates.

More information about a master’s in nursing from University of St Francis

Best Nursing Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

StateCollegesDegrees Awarded
Michigan203721
Ohio1951,946
Indiana1811,748
Wisconsin166463

View All Rankings >

Nursing is one of 30 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.

Nursing Focus Areas

MajorAnnual Graduates
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing2,729
Registered Nursing1,640
Nursing Science525
Nursing Administration182
Critical Care Nursing19
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing14
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing12

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Public Health703
Health & Medical Administrative Services487
Allied Health Professions395
Communication Sciences386
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions304
Mental & Social Health Services264
Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services101
Bioethics/Medical Ethics88
Medical Science67
Medical Illustration & Informatics65

Notes and References

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options