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.
Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected
Schools (88)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triton College | River Grove, IL | Public | CNA, ADN | ACEN |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | Public | BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Direct-Entry MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, PhD | CCNE |
| University of St Francis | Joliet, IL | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-Leadership, Post-Master's-FNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, Doctorate | CCNE |
| Verve College | Oak Brook, IL | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | — |
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL | Public | CNA, ADN | ACEN |
| Western Illinois University | Macomb, IL | Public | BSN | CCNE |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | Private nonprofit | BSN | — |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | Public | CNA, LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
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.