Illinois · Practical Nursing

Best Practical Nursing institutions in Illinois, ranked by earnings

The Practical Nursing program, also known as Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, prepares students for a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This program is designed for individuals who want to provide direct nursing care to…

Institutions
51
offering CIP 51.39
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
7,944
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$54,894
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
26
College Scorecard
Median net price
$27,375
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
45%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Nursing Assistants
$43,950
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Ambria College of Nursing
Hoffman Estates Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$64,71232$11,878
2Verve College
Oak Brook Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$63,59388$14,933
3Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
Olney Public · Certificate degree
$56,00820263%$7,500
4CAAN Academy of Nursing
Matteson Private not-for-profit · Certificate degree
$55,82226$22,398
5Illinois Central College
East Peoria Public · Certificate degree
$55,60437449%$12,700
6MDT College of Health Sciences
Chicago Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$54,89411850%$27,375$26,250
7Shawnee Community College
Ullin Public · Certificate degree
$54,3239860%$11,162
8Capital Area Career Center
Springfield Public · Certificate degree
$52,51798100%$12,918
9Rend Lake College
Ina Public · Certificate degree
$49,72912663%
10Black Hawk College
Moline Public · Certificate degree
$45,99314340%$12,467

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.3%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~204,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$39,530
typically Postsecondary nondegree award

Top skills

Active ListeningMonitoringReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive Learning

What Nursing Assistants earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
64,660
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$43,950
median $44,750
Best-paying metro
$45,450
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Related careers

Nursing Assistants
$43,950 avg · 64,660 jobs
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
$68,450 avg · 18,230 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Practical Nursing programs in Illinois.

Which Practical Nursing program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Ambria College of Nursing tops the list at $64,712. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Nursing Assistants earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Nursing Assistants in Illinois is $43,950 (median $44,750), across about 64,660 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Practical Nursing program?+

The Practical Nursing program, also known as Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, prepares students for a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This program is designed for individuals who want to provide direct nursing care to…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active listening, monitoring, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Nursing Assistants?+

The national job outlook is about +2.3% growth with around 204,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Postsecondary nondegree award is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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