For Illinois' second-largest city, Aurora has surprisingly few pre-licensure nursing programs inside its limits.
Aurora University and Waubonsee Community College's Aurora Fox Valley Campus anchor the city itself. The ranked list widens to about 30 miles, reaching Joliet, Elgin, Romeoville and Palatine. Waubonsee's main campus sits a short drive west in Sugar Grove.
So the practical question is rarely which school is in town. It is how far you are willing to commute for an associate or bachelor's degree, and what that distance does to your total cost and your time to licensure.
Nursing Schools in and Around Aurora, IL With the Top NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Below are the top nursing programs serving Aurora students, ranked by first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, accreditation, and completion. Cards are labeled by credential so you can scan associate and bachelor's options side by side, and the numbers come with a caveat: the net price shown is an institution-wide average after aid rather than a quote, and the graduation rate is the school's overall figure, not the nursing program's. All ten sit within roughly 30 miles of ZIP 60505, and Waubonsee's Aurora Fox Valley Campus is the closest thing to a hometown classroom in the group.
How we ranked these
- Institutional graduation rate, weighted most
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates
- Nursing program accreditation status
- Program completion and retention
- Net cost after financial aid
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
Trinity Christian College
#1Palos Heights, IL · $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Faith-centered learners wanting a small campus
A private Christian liberal arts college in Palos Heights, Trinity Christian awards a single pre-licensure BSN through its CCNE-accredited nursing department, pairing faith-based coursework with clinical placements across the Chicago area. Recent cohorts have posted a perfect first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, and the college reports full job placement for graduates. It is the longest haul from Aurora in this group, so it fits students who want a small, faith-centered campus and are ready to travel or relocate.
- CCNE accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- College reports a 100% first-time licensure pass rate
- College reports 100% job placement for graduates
- Coursework and clinicals taught from a Christian perspective
- Clinical experience across Chicago-area healthcare settings
- Prepares generalist nurses for all clinical areas
- Small classes with faculty mentorship
Ambria College of Nursing
#2Hoffman Estates, IL · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Commuters drawn to a nursing-focused college
Ambria College of Nursing is a small, nursing-focused institution in Hoffman Estates that awards an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing on campus. Graduates have posted strong first-time NCLEX-RN results across the recent testing years, with about 80 candidates in the three-year window. Because there is no broader university attached, the entire curriculum is built around nursing, and the Hoffman Estates location means a commute north and east from Aurora.
- Awards an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- Nursing is the sole academic focus of the college
- Roughly 50 nursing completions per reported year
- Median graduate debt around $30,500
Oakton College
#3Des Plaines, IL · ~$5,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Working adults using the part-time pathway
Oakton College in Des Plaines runs an ACEN-accredited Nursing A.A.S. of 67.5 credits, available full time or part time, with an LPN option for licensed practical nurses moving toward RN licensure. Its three-year first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate sits in the high 90s, and the college's net price after aid is among the lowest in this group. The drive from Aurora is longer, but the part-time pathway and low cost make it worth a serious look for working adults.
- ACEN accredited
- 67.5 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- LPN Option available
- Nursing pharmacology sequence
- Maternal-child and chronic illness care
- Health career specialist advising
- Emphasis on safe, ethical practice and patient advocacy
Elgin Community College
#4Elgin, IL · ~$6,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 94.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
Elgin Community College has taught nursing for more than 50 years, and its Associate of Applied Science in Nursing combines classroom work with clinical rotations and eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN. The program is ACEN accredited and approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and the college keeps transfer partnerships open for RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN study. Elgin is a straightforward drive north of Aurora, and the net price after aid stays modest for a program of this size.
- ACEN accredited
- Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Over 50 years of nursing education at the college
- Transfer partnerships for RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN study
- Prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid and scholarship support available
- Graduates work in critical care, emergency, and pediatric nursing
Joliet Junior College
#5Joliet, IL · $4,500 – $14,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 94.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
Joliet Junior College offers an ACEN-accredited associate degree in nursing built on a four-semester sequence, with anatomy, microbiology, and psychology finished before the nursing core begins. A high-fidelity simulation center supports skills practice, and licensed practical nurses can move toward the ADN through a dedicated transition pathway. The college tests one of the largest NCLEX-RN candidate pools in this group and carries the lowest net price after aid here, which makes the drive southeast from Aurora easy to justify.
- ACEN accredited
- Four-semester traditional track after prerequisites
- LPN to ADN transition pathway for licensed practical nurses
- TEAS entrance exam and a 2.0 GPA minimum
- State-of-the-art simulation center
- Free Kaplan test prep courses for students
- CNA course required before admission
- Nursing program in place since 1971
Waubonsee Community College
#6Sugar Grove, IL · $3,500 – $10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 93.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Waubonsee Community College is the most Aurora-connected option on this list: it runs an Aurora Fox Valley Campus alongside its Sugar Grove main campus, and its ACEN-accredited Associate in Applied Science in Nursing is built around classroom instruction, lab demonstration, and clinical practice. Admission runs through a special application process, and the college has BSN transfer partnerships in place for graduates who want to keep going. Recent cohorts have cleared the NCLEX-RN above the national average.
- ACEN accredited
- Aurora Fox Valley Campus in addition to the Sugar Grove campus
- Special application process separate from general admission
- Clinical practice woven through the curriculum
- BSN transfer partnerships for graduates
- State-of-the-art nursing facility
University of St Francis
#7Joliet, IL · ~$13,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 92.3% (3-yr weighted avg)
The University of St. Francis in Joliet grants a CCNE-accredited BSN organized around eight program outcomes covering evidence-based practice, quality and safety, advocacy, and leadership. Students train in a simulation lab with four computerized mannequins and complete clinicals in hospitals, hospice, public health, primary care, and mental health settings, with extra attention to care of the older adult. It is a private four-year option south of Aurora, best suited to students who want a smaller campus and a direct bachelor's path to licensure.
- CCNE accredited
- Simulation lab with four computerized mannequins
- Clinicals in hospitals, hospice, public health, and mental health
- Curriculum emphasis on care of the older adult
- Eight program outcomes spanning evidence-based practice and safety
- Small classes with individual faculty guidance
- Blessing of the Hands white coat ceremony
Lewis University
#8Romeoville, IL · ~$17,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 91.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Lewis University in Romeoville delivers a CCNE-accredited BSN through a cohort model, with classmates moving through the program together and clinical rotations spread across dozens of affiliate sites. Admission requires SAT, ACT, or TEAS scores plus a 3.0 GPA minimum for transfer applicants, and graduates move into critical care, emergency, pediatric, medical-surgical, and behavioral health nursing. Romeoville is a manageable commute from Aurora, and the cohort structure suits students who want a tight peer group and a wide clinical network.
- CCNE accredited
- Cohort model keeps classmates together through the program
- SAT, ACT, or TEAS scores required for admission
- 3.0 GPA minimum for transfer applicants
- Clinical rotations at about 50 affiliate sites
- Prerequisite science courses required
- Graduates enter critical care, ER, pediatrics, and behavioral health
William Rainey Harper College
#9Palatine, IL · ~$12,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 92% (3-yr weighted avg)
William Rainey Harper College in Palatine runs a 68-credit Associate in Applied Science in Nursing over a two-year sequence, with anatomy, physiology, composition, and psychology completed before the nursing core. The program is ACEN accredited and approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, and students practice in a simulated clinical lab on campus. Admission is limited-enrollment and nursing courses carry a tuition premium, so it rewards students who plan prerequisites early; Palatine also makes for a long northern commute from Aurora.
- ACEN accredited
- 68 credit hours over a two-year sequence
- Limited-enrollment admission with prerequisite coursework
- Prerequisites include anatomy, physiology, composition, and psychology
- Nursing courses cost 1.5 times the standard tuition rate
- Simulated clinical lab for skills practice
Dominican University
#10River Forest, IL · ~$12,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 91.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Dominican University in River Forest awards a CCNE-accredited BSN that pairs liberal arts coursework in psychology and writing with nursing science, high-tech simulation labs, and clinical placements in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. Direct entry is available for incoming freshmen, and small classes with interprofessional coursework are the main draw. River Forest sits east of Aurora, and the program suits students who want a private university experience with a broad clinical footprint.
- CCNE accredited
- Direct entry admission option for incoming freshmen
- High-tech simulation labs
- Small class sizes
- Interprofessional education threaded through the curriculum
- Clinical placements in hospitals, clinics, and community settings
- Liberal arts foundation paired with nursing science
ADN or BSN? Cost, Time to Licensure, and the Commute From Aurora
The programs ranked above fall into two commuting groups: those physically in Aurora and those in surrounding Fox Valley and collar-county communities. Sorting them this way helps you weigh a shorter drive against program type and cost.
In Aurora vs. the Surrounding Area
Aurora University sits in the city itself, so local students skip the longest commutes. Outside Aurora, programs sit in Sugar Grove (a short hop west), Naperville and Glen Ellyn (both east along the I-88 corridor, roughly 20 to 40 minutes in traffic), Joliet to the south, Elgin to the north, and DeKalb/Malta to the west, which can run 40 minutes or more each way. For a program with daytime clinical rotations, the farther suburbs add real driving time to already long days.
North Central College in Naperville does not offer a standalone pre-licensure BSN or ADN; its undergraduate Nursing (Pre) track prepares students to apply elsewhere or to its graduate Master's Entry to Nursing Practice pathway.1
Cost and Time to Licensure
The two routes differ most in length and price. Compare the net prices on the ranking cards above when you budget, since an associate program at a community college typically costs far less per year than a private university BSN.
- ADN route: Waubonsee Community College's associate program is built to finish in four to six semesters. About 55% of students finish within four semesters and 80% within six.2
- BSN route: Aurora University's pre-licensure BSN requires 60 semester hours of prerequisites before entry, then 98 credits in the nursing program itself, which is why it runs on roughly a four-year calendar.
So how long does it take to become a nurse in Aurora? Expect about two years of nursing coursework through the ADN route (longer if prerequisites are still outstanding), versus roughly four years total for a traditional BSN.
Many Aurora-area ADN graduates start working, then finish a bachelor's degree on the employer's schedule. If that fits your plan, review the RN-to-BSN directory later on this page to map that next step.
Lowest-Cost Nursing Programs Near Aurora After Financial Aid
The prices below are average net prices after grants and scholarships, drawn from 2024 IPEDS and College Scorecard data, not published sticker prices. Every one of the lowest-cost options is a public community college ADN program, and no private university ranks among them. Median graduate debt and Pell share describe each college as a whole, not its nursing students alone. Truly tuition-free pre-licensure nursing programs are rare, so the realistic path to a near-zero bill is a low-net-price community college ADN paired with a Pell Grant and, once you are hired, employer tuition assistance.
| School | Location | Degree | Average Net Price After Aid | In-State Tuition and Fees | Median Graduate Debt (Institution-Wide) | Pell Grant Share (Institution-Wide) | NCLEX-RN Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | Associate Degree in Nursing | $1,672 | $4,530 | $9,711 | 84.2% | 94.6% |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL | Associate Degree in Nursing | $2,829 | $3,822 | $9,500 | 88.4% | 87.4% |
| Triton College | River Grove, IL | Associate Degree in Nursing | $4,138 | $5,070 | $9,413 | 92.9% | 71.7% |
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | Associate Degree in Nursing | $5,183 | $3,985 | $5,250 | 97.3% | 96.6% |
| Morton College | Cicero, IL | Associate Degree in Nursing | $5,191 | $5,502 | $8,000 | 96.6% | 81.5% |
What Waubonsee and Aurora University Ask of Nursing Applicants
Both programs set firm academic minimums, but they differ on testing and timing. Here is what each school's current nursing admission materials require.
- Prerequisite coursesWaubonsee ADN: BIO250, BIO270, BIO272, COM100, ENG101, ENG102, PSY100 and PSY205, each with a C or better. Aurora BSN: C or better in every prerequisite, science courses taken within the last ten years, and 60 semester hours completed before entering the professional phase. See Aurora's nursing catalog for course titles.
- Minimum GPAWaubonsee ADN: 2.7 cumulative in the nursing prerequisites. Aurora BSN: the catalog lists 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and also states 3.00 for the professional phase, so confirm which applies. Direct-from-high-school admission requires a B or 3.0 high school GPA.
- Entrance examWaubonsee ADN: ATI TEAS taken in person at a Waubonsee campus. You need at least 58% in Reading, Math, Science and English/Language, plus a 58% composite. Each attempt costs $93, with up to three attempts per calendar year and a four-week wait between tests. Aurora BSN: the admission requirements do not list the TEAS or HESI.
- CNA certificationBoth schools: the 2026 admission materials do not list CNA certification as an entry requirement. Confirm on each school's nursing admissions page.
- Background checkWaubonsee ADN: an IDPH fingerprint background check after admission, required by clinical partners. Aurora BSN: check with the nursing office for clinical clearance steps.
- Deadlines and start termsWaubonsee ADN: applications for the Fall 2026 class ran March 1 to June 1, 2026, and the TEAS had to be completed by June 1. Aurora BSN: for Spring 2027 entry, the priority deadline was July 10, 2026. A later January 29, 2027 deadline also appears, so confirm its entry term with admissions.
LPN to RN Bridge Options at Fox Valley Community Colleges
An LPN to RN bridge is a route that lets a licensed practical nurse count coursework and clinical training already completed toward an associate degree in nursing, instead of repeating the full first year. These pathways open, pause, and get restructured from one admission cycle to the next, so the only reliable source is the college itself.
Check each college's own nursing pages
The commutable options to investigate are Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Kishwaukee College, College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Joliet Junior College in Joliet, and Elgin Community College in Elgin. On each site, search the terms "LPN to RN," "LPN to ADN," "bridge," and "advanced placement," since colleges file these pathways under different labels.
A few published details are worth knowing before you call. Joliet Junior College builds its two-semester practical nursing certificate from the first two semesters of its RN curriculum, so students can continue into the RN track without starting over. College of DuPage publishes a 35-credit practical nursing certificate taught through classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction, but it is open only to students already admitted to its associate degree nursing program and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN. A third-party listing advertises an 18-month LPN to RN bridge at College of DuPage; treat that as unconfirmed until the college states it. Elgin Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing leading to NCLEX-RN eligibility and does not run a standalone practical nursing track.
Confirm the details in writing
Call or email the nursing department and ask an advisor to confirm, in writing:
- Availability and format: whether a bridge or advanced-placement option is running this cycle, and whether it is on campus, hybrid, or online.
- Length and credits: how many semesters remain after LPN licensure.
- Prerequisites and credit by exam: current required courses, minimum grades, and whether challenge exams or transition courses apply.
- Deadlines and waitlists: Elgin's published dates differ by source (January 30 for fall, and either August 30 or August 15 for spring), so get the current date confirmed.
For broader context, use BLS.gov for LPN and RN outlook data, the Illinois Board of Nursing and NCSBN for licensure rules, and the Illinois Nurses Association or NLN for education guidance. Then compare your shortlist side by side.
LPN to RN Programs Near Aurora
If you already hold an Illinois LPN license, the bridge programs below let you build on your practical nursing education instead of starting over. Formats range from a one-semester transition course to a three-semester hybrid pathway, and several admit students in both fall and spring.
- LPN to BSN Option
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- LPN to RN Bridge
- LPN-RN Bridge Program
- Nursing (AAS) - Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) may be eligible for advanced placement (LPN to RN advanced placement)
- LPN to ADN Transition Bridge
- LPN to RN Transition
- LPN to Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Transition Pathway
Accelerated BSN and Entry-Level MSN Programs Near Aurora
Second-degree students who already hold a bachelor's in another field can move into nursing faster than they might expect. An accelerated BSN earns a second bachelor's degree and prepares you for the NCLEX-RN, while an entry-to-practice MSN goes a step further and pairs licensure preparation with graduate-level coursework. Both are full-time commitments with demanding clinical hours, so plan on little room for outside work while you are enrolled.
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Master's Entry in Nursing Practice (Clinical Nurse Leader)
- Master's Entry into Nursing Practice (MENP)
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Aurora, IL
If you already hold an RN license, the next step is a degree completion pathway: an RN to BSN builds on your associate degree or diploma, while an RN to MSN moves you toward advanced practice or leadership. registerednursing.org's dedicated Illinois RN to BSN and MSN program pages go deeper on coursework, clinical requirements, and application planning for working nurses.
- RN to BSN Online Option
- RN to BSN Program
- BSN Completion Program
- Nursing BSN (RN-BSN)
- Online RN to BSN
- RN-BSN Degree Completion Program
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN - B.S.)
- RN to BSN
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Aurora, IL
A BSN-prepared nurse ready for advanced practice has real choices in the Aurora area. Some programs below lead to nurse practitioner certification in family, adult-gerontology, psychiatric-mental health or acute care, while others prepare nurses for educator, executive, informatics and clinical nurse specialist roles; a few extend through the DNP. Most are built for working nurses, with online coursework and clinical hours arranged near home. For a fuller look at Illinois nurse practitioner options, see the site's APRN and nurse practitioner program pages.
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN Nurse Educator
- MSN Nurse Executive
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nursing Informatics
- M.S. in Nursing (Nursing Education)
- M.S. in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Master of Science in Nursing (Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist)
- Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration (Nurse Executive Leader)
- Master of Science in Nursing (Nurse Executive Leader)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Executive Leadership)
- Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Administration
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Nursing Education / Master of Science in Nursing
- Family Nurse Practitioner / Master of Science in Nursing
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner / Master of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing (Healthcare Systems Leadership)
- MSN/MBA Dual Degree (Healthcare Systems Leadership)
- Healthcare Systems Leadership / Master of Science in Nursing
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- BSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) (Nurse Educator)
- Master of Science in Nursing (Clinical Nurse Leader)
- Nurse Administrator
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- MSN: Nurse Educator
- Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration Dual Degree
- Master of Science in Nursing (Nurse Executive Leader)
- Master of Science in Nursing with an education concentration
- Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in administration
What Do Aurora-Area Nursing Graduates Earn in Their First Year?
Bachelor's-prepared nurses from schools around Aurora earn median pay between $75,557 and $83,188 one year after finishing their programs. Chamberlain University-Illinois and Benedictine University lead the group, but the spread from top to bottom is under $8,000. Because the gap is that narrow, weigh NCLEX results, net cost, and your commute as heavily as these figures. These are College Scorecard medians for program completers one year after completion, not pay scales set by local hospitals.
Illinois RN Licensure Through IDFPR
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Aurora, IL
19 schools within 30 miles, grouped by city. Select a program to see its highlights, and use the Website link for the school's own program page.
Addison, IL
Chamberlain University-Illinois
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 5 concentration options
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: HESI, ACT, SAT, TEAS
- $94,550 total program tuition
- $775 per credit
- 3-Year program
- 122 total credit hours
On-Campus · Website
Aurora, IL
Aurora University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 95% licensure pass rate
- $93,600 median earnings
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Clinical rotations at top hospitals
- Start nursing classes in first year
- State-of-the-art simulation labs
- Immersive VR training
On-Campus · Website
Cicero, IL
Morton College
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing Program
- ACEN accredited
- 95% job placement rate
- Prepares for NCLEX/RN
- Financial aid available
- Eligible for NCLEX-RN exam
- Associate of Applied Science degree
- LPN to RN transition course
- C.A.R.E. retention support program
On-Campus · Website
Dekalb, IL
Northern Illinois University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- Test optional
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- $0 application fee
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Hands-on simulation labs
On-Campus · WebsiteBachelor's - Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to B.S.)
- CCNE accredited
- 1-Year program
- Complete in as few as 12 months
- 9 total courses
- Scholarships available
- 100% online
- Multiple start dates per year
- Complete practicum in your community
Online · Website
Des Plaines, IL
Oakton College
Associate - Nursing A.A.S.
- ACEN accredited
- 67.5 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- LPN Option available
- Maternal-child and chronic illness care
- Nursing pharmacology sequence
- Patient advocacy and cultural diversity
- Health career specialist advising
On-Campus · Website
Elgin, IL
Elgin Community College
Associate - Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- ACEN accredited
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Over 50 years of nursing education
- Approved by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Partnerships for RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN
- Careers in critical care, emergency, and pediatric nursing
On-Campus · Website
Elmhurst, IL
Elmhurst University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Two-year liberal arts foundation
- Eligible for RN licensure
- Possible minors available
- 16 nursing courses with clinical practice
On-Campus · Website
Glen Ellyn, IL
College of DuPage
Associate - Nursing, A.A.S.
- ACEN accredited
- 70 total credit hours
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Deliver nursing care in diverse settings
- Eligible for RN licensure exam
- Program application and admission required
- Includes clinical decision making practicum
On-Campus · Website
Joliet, IL
Joliet Junior College
Associate - Nursing (R.N.)
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 4-Semester program
- 95% licensure pass rate
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
On-Campus · Website
University of St Francis
Bachelor's - Nursing (BSN)
- CCNE accredited
- 90% licensure pass rate
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Simulation lab with four computerized mannequins
- Clinicals in hospitals, hospice and mental health
- Curriculum emphasis on older adult care
- Prepares for registered nurse licensure
- Blessing of the Hands white coat ceremony
On-Campus · Website
Lisle, IL
Benedictine University
Bachelor's - Nursing, Bachelor of Science
- CCNE accredited
- 14-Month program
- 120 total credit hours
- Cohort-based structure
- Prerequisite courses required
- Competency-based RN to BSN program
- RN to BSN pathway for licensed nurses
- Lisle campus location
On-Campus · Website
Palatine, IL
William Rainey Harper College
Associate - Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing (AAS-RN)
- ACEN accredited
- 2-Year program
- 68 total credit hours
- 93% licensure pass rate
- 91% job placement rate
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Top 10 Illinois ADN 2025
On-Campus · Website
Palos Heights, IL
Trinity Christian College
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 100% licensure pass rate
- 100% job placement rate
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Diverse clinical opportunities
- Christian faculty
- Hands-on experience
- Worldwide alumni network
On-Campus · Website
Palos Hills, IL
Moraine Valley Community College
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing Program
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- $10,050 total program tuition
- 2-Year program
- Apply by 2026-04-15
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
On-Campus · Website
River Forest, IL
Concordia University-Chicago
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited
- 4-Year program
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- State-of-the-art Simulation Center
- Clinical partnerships with major hospitals
- Boutique-sized program for individual attention
- Advanced practice nursing faculty
- Over 1,000 nursing graduates since 1982
On-Campus · Website
Dominican University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 97% licensure pass rate
- Prepares for NCLEX
- High-tech simulation labs
- Small class sizes
- Interprofessional education focus
- Clinical experiences at hospitals
- Experienced faculty mentors
On-Campus · Website
River Grove, IL
Triton College
Associate - Nursing / LPN to RN - Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
- ACEN accredited
- 62 total credit hours
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Selective admission program
- Limited seats available
On-Campus · Website
Romeoville, IL
Lewis University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: SAT, ACT, TEAS
- 98% licensure pass rate
- Cohort-based structure
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
On-Campus · Website
Sugar Grove, IL
Waubonsee Community College
Associate - Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Nursing
- ACEN accredited
- 100% licensure pass rate
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Special application process required
- Clinical practice in curriculum
- State-of-the-art nursing facility
- BSN transfer partnerships available
- Aurora Fox Valley Campus location
On-Campus · Website
Program data from the schools and the National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS).