Illinois · Registered Nursing

Best Registered Nursing institutions in Illinois, ranked by earnings

The Registered Nursing program prepares students to become healthcare professionals who provide essential care to patients in various settings. This program covers a comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the necessary skills…

Institutions
83
offering CIP 51.38
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
21,390
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$76,766
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
68
College Scorecard
Median net price
$19,888
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
47%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Registered Nurses
$91,130
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
1Chamberlain University - Illinois
Addison Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$83,18813,36742%$29,024$39,146
2Governors State University
University Park Public · Bachelor's degree
$80,3914622%$27,342
3Benedictine University
Lisle Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$80,1369250%$23,570$17,188
4Saint Xavier University
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$78,28515257%$12,935$27,188
5Loyola University Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$76,86938773%$33,454$27,000
6Lewis University
Romeoville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$76,76621767%$17,632$27,000
7Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$76,4461958%$15,126$27,000
8University of St Francis
Joliet Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$75,81115467%$15,591$30,700
9Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$75,6293775%$26,849$27,000
10Northern Illinois University
Dekalb Public · Bachelor's degree
$75,55716349%$31,000

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.9%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~189,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$93,600
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionMonitoringWriting

What Registered Nurses earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
139,900
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$91,130
median $86,410
Best-paying metro
$94,580
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Related careers

Registered Nurses
$91,130 avg · 139,900 jobs
Medical and Health Services Managers
$136,320 avg · 21,110 jobs
Nurse Practitioners
$128,880 avg · 9,560 jobs
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
$83,400 avg · 2,450 jobs
Nurse Anesthetists
$254,350 avg · 1,270 jobs
Nurse Midwives
$107,280 avg · 310 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Registered Nursing programs in Illinois.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Chamberlain University - Illinois tops the list at $83,188. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Registered Nurses earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Registered Nurses in Illinois is $91,130 (median $86,410), across about 139,900 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Registered Nursing program?+

The Registered Nursing program prepares students to become healthcare professionals who provide essential care to patients in various settings. This program covers a comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the necessary skills…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

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

What is the job outlook for Registered Nurses?+

The national job outlook is about +4.9% growth with around 189,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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