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2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois

37 Ranked Colleges
12,037 Degrees Awarded
$18,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor's in Illinois

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Registered Nursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 259,493 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Illinois, there were 16,636 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 12,037 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,319 and $24,183 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois” ranking analyzed 37 colleges that offered a degree in registered nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great registered nursing programs and cost less that 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 registered nursing program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Registered Nursing Schools

The registered nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing in Illinois

#1

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. Illinois State University is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 183 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $20,895 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students per year to attend Illinois State University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Illinois State

#11 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #2 spot on the list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 485 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUE, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $14,423 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Registered Nursing Report

#3

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Governors State University landed the #3 spot on the list. GSU is a small school located in University Park, Illinois that handed out 42 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

GSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Governors State University is $12,077 for illinois bachelor’s degree registered nursing students.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at GSU

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chamberlain University - Illinois. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. Chamberlain University - Illinois is a large school located in Addison, Illinois that handed out 7,888 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree registered nursing students list, Chamberlain - Illinois has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chamberlain University - Illinois is $25,598 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Chamberlain University - Illinois

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 237 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $13,312 for illinois bachelor’s degree registered nursing students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Registered Nursing Report

#6

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend EIU is $14,607 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at EIU

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #7. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 159 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $18,259 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Northern Illinois University

#8

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $16,210 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students.

Full WIU Registered Nursing Report

#3 in overall quality

Saint Anthony College of Nursing came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. This small school is located in Rockford, Illinois, and it awarded 81 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

SACN also took the #3 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Saint Anthony College of Nursing

#10

Oak Point University

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Oak Point University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. Oak Point University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 426 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Oak Point also made our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Oak Point

#11

Lakeview College of Nursing

Danville, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Lakeview College of Nursing landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. Located in Danville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 68 degrees to qualified bachelors’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lakeview College of Nursing, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Lakeview College of Nursing

#12

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. CSU is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 38 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Chicago State University is $11,733 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full CSU Registered Nursing Report

#13

Methodist College

Peoria, Illinois

Methodist College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. Methodist College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 169 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Methodist College is $35,862 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Methodist College

#15 in overall quality

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 148 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing also made our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing Registered Nursing Report

#15

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Aurora University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #15. Aurora, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s registered nursing degrees to 184 students in 2019-2020.

Aurora also took the #9 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,215 for illinois bachelor’s degree registered nursing students per year to attend Aurora University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Aurora

#16

St. John's College

Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #16, St. John’s College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 57 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Registered Nursing at St. John’s College

Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rock Island, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 58 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Trinity College Registered Nursing Report

#18

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, North Park University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 73 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree registered nursing students list, North Park has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $19,170 for illinois bachelor’s degree registered nursing students per year to attend North Park University.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Registered Nursing at North Park University

#19

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Trinity Christian College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. Palos Heights, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s registered nursing degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

Trinity Christian also made our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Trinity Christian College is $21,904 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Trinity Christian Registered Nursing Report

#20

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

McKendree University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. Located in Lebanon, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 55 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree registered nursing students list, McKendree has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend McKendree is $19,844 for illinois bachelor’s degree registered nursing students.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at McKendree University

#21

Benedictine University

Lisle, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

Benedictine University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. Lisle, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s registered nursing degrees to 97 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Benedictine U, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $25,143 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students per year to attend Benedictine U.

Full Benedictine U Registered Nursing Report

Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Quincy, Illinois. It awarded 91 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full BRCN Registered Nursing Report

#23

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

University of St Francis ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. University of Saint Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 112 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $17,538 for illinois bachelor’s degree registered nursing students per year to attend University of St Francis.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at University of Saint Francis

#24

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Lewis University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 121 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree registered nursing students list, Lewis has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,664 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students per year to attend Lewis University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Lewis

#25

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois

Quincy University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. Quincy University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Quincy, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Quincy U is $17,497 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nursing students.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Quincy University

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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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