Skip to content
Top Nursing Schools

Top Nursing Schools in Illinois

This page lists 88 schools in Illinois that reported awards in licensed nursing education to the U.S. Department of Education for 2023-24 — including 33 practical/vocational nursing (LPN/LVN), 42 associate degree (ADN), 39 bachelor's (BSN), 25 master's and 11 Doctor of Nursing Practice award levels. By ownership, 50 public, 32 private nonprofit and 6 private for-profit. 78 appear in the CCNE or ACEN accreditor directories for at least one nursing program level. The largest concentrations are in Chicago (9), Rockford (5), Peoria (3) and Quincy (3).

Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026

Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory / official school websites

Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.

88 schools · 24 verified program profiles · page 5 of 5

Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected

Schools (88)

Triton College campus

Triton College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeRiver Grove, IL

Triton College is a public community / two-year college in River Grove, IL. It reported 35 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

CNA, ADN

ACEN: ADN

View School
University of Illinois Chicago campus

University of Illinois Chicago

PublicUniversityChicago, IL

The UIC College of Nursing offers BSN, graduate-entry MSN, DNP, PhD and certificate programs, with programs delivered at its Chicago campus and four regional campuses (Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, Urbana). Its baccalaureate, master's, DNP and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are CCNE-accredited.

8 verified program profiles

BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Direct-Entry MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, PhD

CCNE: BSN, MSN, DNP, Post-Master's

View School
University of St Francis campus

University of St Francis

Private nonprofitUniversityJoliet, IL

University of St Francis is a private nonprofit university in Joliet, IL. It reported 154 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

BSN, MSN, MSN-Leadership, Post-Master's-FNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, Doctorate

CCNE: BSN, MSN, DNP, Post-Master's

View School

Verve College

Private for-profitSpecialized institutionOak Brook, IL

Verve College is a private for-profit specialized institution in Oak Brook, IL. It reported 88 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

LPN/LVN

View School
Waubonsee Community College campus

Waubonsee Community College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegeSugar Grove, IL

Waubonsee Community College is a public community / two-year college in Sugar Grove, IL. It reported 84 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

CNA, ADN

ACEN: ADN

View School
Western Illinois University campus

Western Illinois University

PublicUniversityMacomb, IL

Western Illinois University is a public university in Macomb, IL. It reported 39 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

BSN

CCNE: BSN

View School
Wheaton College campus

Wheaton College

Private nonprofitFour-year collegeWheaton, IL

Wheaton College is a private nonprofit four-year college in Wheaton, IL. It reported 7 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

BSN

View School
William Rainey Harper College campus

William Rainey Harper College

PublicCommunity / two-year collegePalatine, IL

William Rainey Harper College is a public community / two-year college in Palatine, IL. It reported 104 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

CNA, LPN/LVN, ADN

ACEN: ADN, LPN/LVN

View School

Before you apply in Illinois

  • Prelicensure nursing programs must be approved by the state's board of nursing. Check the board's current list for the campus you will attend.
  • Program accreditation (CCNE, ACEN or CNEA) is separate from state approval and from the institution's own accreditation. Each school page shows which records we found and where.
  • Online programs based in another state may not accept residents of Illinois. See online coursework and clinical requirements.