Best Nursing Schools in Chicago: Rankings, Tuition & Programs for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
March 31, 2026
Compare 20 Chicago nursing programs from $3,180 community college ADN to doctoral programs at Rush and DePaul. Average RN salary in Chicago: $96,000-107,000.
Why Study Nursing in Chicago?
Chicago is one of the best cities in the Midwest for nursing education and employment. The city is home to major academic medical centers — Rush University Medical Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, UIC Medical Center, Lurie Children's Hospital, and the University of Chicago Medical Center — plus a massive network of community hospitals, VA facilities, and the Cook County Health system.
The metro area has 20 institutions with nursing programs, from $3,180/year community college ADN degrees to doctoral programs where graduates earn over $200,000/year. Average RN salary in Chicago ranges from $96,654 to $107,116/year depending on the data source, with new graduates starting around $76,490.
Elite University Programs
Rush University College of Nursing
Rush is exclusively a health sciences university — there are no liberal arts undergrads, just nursing, medical, and health sciences students. The College of Nursing is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for both online and campus-based graduate programs. Doctoral nursing graduates earn $117,561/year. Rush Medical Center provides direct clinical integration — students train where they'll likely work.
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
UIC's BSN program is ranked #13 nationally among undergraduate nursing programs (U.S. News 2025) — the only Illinois school in the top 25. In-state tuition is $14,338 with a 78.5% acceptance rate. First Professional Degree nursing graduates earn $107,171/year. UIC's location in the Illinois Medical District puts students next to multiple hospitals and research centers.
DePaul University
DePaul's doctoral nursing graduates earn a remarkable $204,157/year — the second highest in the Chicago area. Tuition is $44,460 with a 73.5% acceptance rate and 69.7% graduation rate. Strong clinical partnerships across the city.
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola's Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing produces doctoral graduates earning $149,948/year. Tuition is $51,716 with an 81.4% acceptance rate. Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood provides integrated clinical training. The Jesuit tradition emphasizes ethics and community health.
Midwestern University (Downers Grove)
Master's nursing graduates earn $205,504/year — the highest in the Chicago metro. Located in the western suburb of Downers Grove, the dedicated health sciences campus provides focused training.
Best Value University Programs
Chicago State University
At $12,754/year in-state tuition, Chicago State is the most affordable university option. BSN graduates earn $69,196/year. The 40.5% acceptance rate makes it selective, and its South Side location serves an underserved community.
Roosevelt University
BSN at $20,280/year with graduates earning $75,231. The 94.3% acceptance rate and downtown Loop location make it accessible.
Aurora University
BSN at $28,220/year with graduates earning $64,344. Located in the western suburbs with an 85.1% acceptance rate.
North Park University
Master's nursing graduates earn $102,196/year at $35,325 tuition. Located on Chicago's North Side with a 72.8% acceptance rate and strong clinical connections to Swedish Covenant Hospital.
Saint Xavier University
Designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League of Nursing every year since 2007. Master's graduates earn $94,608/year at $36,840 tuition. Programs include traditional BSN, online RN-to-BSN, second-degree BSN, and MSN.
University of St. Francis (Joliet)
Master's nursing graduates earn $109,196/year at $37,000. Located in Joliet, it serves the southwest suburbs with a 63.9% acceptance rate and 64.8% graduation rate.
Community College ADN Programs
Chicago-area community colleges provide the most affordable path to an RN license, with tuition between $3,180-$4,920/year.
Top CC Nursing Programs
| School | Location | Tuition | ADN Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm X College (CCC) | Chicago | $4,380/yr | $70,086 |
| Triton College | River Grove | $4,920/yr | $63,670 |
| Oakton College | Des Plaines | $3,985/yr | $63,332 |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet | $4,530/yr | $63,822 |
| Harper College | Palatine | $3,822/yr | $62,113 |
| Moraine Valley CC | Palos Hills | $3,822/yr | $61,990 |
| Elgin CC | Elgin | $3,180/yr | $56,095 |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights | $4,176/yr | $60,449 |
| Morton College | Cicero | $4,884/yr | $59,228 |
Malcolm X College stands out with the highest ADN nursing earnings at $70,086/year. It houses the City Colleges of Chicago's School of Nursing and is located in the Illinois Medical District near Rush and UIC.
Elgin Community College has the lowest tuition at $3,180/year, serving the northwest suburbs.
Harper College (Palatine) and Moraine Valley (Palos Hills) both charge $3,822/year — strong options for north and south suburban students respectively.
Chicago Nursing Salaries (2025)
- New graduate RN: $68,500-85,500/year
- Experienced RN (3-5 years): $83,000-114,000/year
- Specialized RN (ICU, ER, OR): $95,000-125,000/year
- Nurse Practitioner: $110,000-150,000/year
- CRNA: $180,000-205,000+/year
Major employers: Northwestern Memorial, Rush University Medical Center, Advocate Aurora Health, Lurie Children's Hospital, UIC Hospital, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Cook County Health (Stroger Hospital), Amita Health, Edward-Elmhurst Health.
Clinical Rotation Sites
Chicago nursing students rotate through world-class facilities:
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital — top-ranked nationally
- Rush University Medical Center — academic medical center
- UIC Medical Center — Illinois Medical District
- Lurie Children's Hospital — premier pediatric facility
- Stroger Hospital (Cook County) — Level I trauma center, large public hospital
- University of Chicago Medical Center — South Side academic center
- VA Jesse Brown Medical Center — veterans healthcare
- Advocate Christ Medical Center — South suburban trauma center
Financial Aid
- Illinois MAP Grant — need-based, up to $6,348/year for public university students
- City Colleges of Chicago Star Scholarship — free tuition for CPS graduates at any CCC campus
- Illinois Monetary Award Program — covers tuition at community colleges for qualifying families
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship — national program for underserved area commitment
- Hospital tuition reimbursement — Northwestern, Rush, Advocate, and others offer tuition assistance
The Smart Path
- Complete ADN at Malcolm X College or Harper College ($3,800-4,400/year)
- Pass NCLEX, start working as an RN earning $76,000+
- Complete RN-to-BSN online (many Illinois options)
- Total cost: under $15,000 vs. $57,000-207,000 at a private university
Next Steps
Compare Chicago nursing programs on GradeToGrad to see tuition, outcomes, and admissions data side by side.
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