2027 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Illinois
Registered Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their registered nursing programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 81 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Illinois
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science tops our 2027 ranking of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of North Chicago, Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 16 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science generally make around $223,679.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #2. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 266 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $111,912 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for Loyola University Chicago
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 379 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $87,290 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Illinois At Chicago
Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 287 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $90,432 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,075.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Illinois State University
Benedictine University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. About 50% of students finish within six years. Benedictine University awarded about 19 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $90,860. Benedictine University graduates carry a median of $17,188 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Benedictine University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 339 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $118,455 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,043 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Lewis University earned the #7 position for registered nursing this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lewis University awarded about 123 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $90,066 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Lewis University
College Of Lake County landed the #8 spot for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. There were roughly 80 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $72,472. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $12,005 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for College Of Lake County
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Addison. About 42% of students finish within six years. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois awarded about 8,665 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earn around $109,135 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
Joliet Junior College came in at #10 for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. There were roughly 117 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $71,988 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,617 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Joliet Junior College
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #11 for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 74 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $46,566. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Harper College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. About 74 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $70,929 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
See the full registered nursing program report for Harper College
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #13 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College awarded about 158 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $70,086 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,660 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Bradley University earned the #14 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. Bradley University awarded about 72 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $95,389. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Bradley University
Northern Illinois University came in at #15 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 154 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $91,491 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Northern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University landed the #16 spot for registered nursing this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 55 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $43,603 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Eastern Illinois University
Lake Land College placed #17 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. About 80 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lake Land College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Lake Land College earn around $63,651 in the first couple years of their career. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Lake Land College
College Of Dupage ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. About 120 registered nursing degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from College Of Dupage earn around $69,105 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from College Of Dupage
University Of St Francis landed the #19 spot for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Joliet. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 117 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of St Francis in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of St Francis earn around $94,166 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,700 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of St Francis
Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing earned the #20 position for registered nursing this year. Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. About 158 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing earn around $91,413 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing
Aurora University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. Aurora University awarded about 182 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $72,520 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Aurora University
Depaul University came in at #22 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 146 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $140,906 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,340.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Depaul University
Saint Xavier University earned the #23 position for registered nursing this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Saint Xavier University graduates 57% of students within six years. Saint Xavier University awarded about 135 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $95,130 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,188 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Saint Xavier University
Elmhurst College came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. About 207 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $79,656 in their early career. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Elmhurst College
Moraine Valley Community College placed #25 among the best registered nursing schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. There were roughly 79 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $73,137 in their early career. Moraine Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $19,345 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Moraine Valley Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing ranking:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 81 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.