Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois
- 45
- Schools
- $55,236
- Avg. Earnings
- 53%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,658
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,542
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $34,096 at the low end to $81,054 at the top. That 2.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Carl Sandburg College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $35,274 against $3,662 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Carl Sandburg College, at $3,662 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates 85% of its students, well above the 53% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Carl Sandburg College: graduates owe only 0.14× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($56,346 earnings), not the highest earner, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($81,054). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Carl Sandburg College ($3,662/yr) and Methodist College ($41,787/yr) produce graduates earning $35,274 and $69,800 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $38,125 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Carl Sandburg College outperforms University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Carl Sandburg College and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $56K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville #1 overall | $56,346 ▲ +2% vs avg | $14,889 | 56% | 81 |
| 2 Kishwaukee College #2 overall | $39,657 ▼ -28% vs avg | $4,574 | 42% | 81 |
| 3 Aurora University #3 overall | $58,709 ▲ +6% vs avg | $18,838 | 59% | 79 |
| $66,099 ▲ +20% vs avg | $17,028 | 65% | 78 | |
| $63,926 ▲ +16% vs avg | $13,006 | 66% | 78 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois
This analysis ranks 45 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $55,236 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 53% and an average net price of $16,658.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Carl Sandburg College — Net Price: $3,662 | Graduation Rate: 45%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — 85% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Median alumni earnings: $81,054
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$55,700
Median earnings (10yr)
57%
Median graduation rate
$16,948
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Few sectors of the economy depend more directly on what colleges produce than healthcare. Chronic shortages across nursing and allied health have made workforce training a bottleneck for the entire system. Schools rise on this list by combining rigorous instruction with clinical placements and high licensure pass rates, the bridge between enrolling and actually practicing.
Across the 45 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $55,700 ten years after they first enrolled, about $7,700 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 57%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $16,948 a year, with about $22,193 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 37% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.5%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $55,700 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Edwardsville, IL · 98% accepted · $14,889 net
Why it ranks #1
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville lands at #1 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,346 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,889 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Kishwaukee College lands at #2 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $39,657 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,574 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Aurora University lands at #3 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,709 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,838 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Lewis University lands at #4 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $66,099 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,028 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of St Francis lands at #5 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $63,926 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,006 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Saint Xavier University lands at #6 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $58,656 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,970 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Dominican University lands at #7 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $60,327 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,745 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Parkland College lands at #8 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $38,320 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,048 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Waubonsee Community College lands at #9 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $44,788 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,442 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Illinois State University lands at #10 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $62,117 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,398 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Elmhurst University lands at #11 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $61,462 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,185 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Northern Illinois University lands at #12 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,808 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,391 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
North Park University lands at #13 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $59,572 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,948 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Rock Valley College lands at #14 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $39,158 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,242 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Eastern Illinois University lands at #15 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $51,989 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,786 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Bradley University lands at #16 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $66,852 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,719 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Carl Sandburg College lands at #17 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $35,274 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,662 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
McKendree University lands at #18 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $58,572 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,717 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
University of Illinois Chicago lands at #19 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (62/100). Graduates earn a median $68,740 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,974 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
John Wood Community College lands at #20 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $38,631 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,050 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Morton College lands at #21 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,406 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,191 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Loyola University Chicago lands at #22 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $71,530 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,079 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Illinois Wesleyan University lands at #23 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $70,871 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,199 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Benedictine University lands at #24 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $63,446 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,313 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Trinity Christian College lands at #25 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $55,700 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,125 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Illinois College lands at #26 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $52,575 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,298 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
North Central College lands at #27 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $60,123 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,044 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Olivet Nazarene University lands at #28 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $53,213 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,729 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Champaign, IL · 42% accepted · $14,355 net
Why it ranks #29
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign lands at #29 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,054 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,355 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Quincy University lands at #30 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $50,369 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,359 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Rockford University lands at #31 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $54,794 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,436 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
DePaul University lands at #32 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $68,751 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,902 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Roosevelt University lands at #33 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $48,712 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,194 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Western Illinois University lands at #34 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $54,163 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,937 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
John A Logan College lands at #35 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $34,096 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
College of DuPage lands at #36 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $46,909 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,401 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Eureka College lands at #37 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $51,641 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,349 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Carbondale, IL · 87% accepted · $13,297 net
Why it ranks #38
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale lands at #38 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $53,390 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,297 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Millikin University lands at #39 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $51,262 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,989 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Governors State University lands at #40 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,169 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,329 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Augustana College lands at #41 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $62,971 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,736 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Chicago State University lands at #42 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $42,778 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,335 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
National Louis University lands at #43 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (68/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $45,799 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,641 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Concordia University-Chicago lands at #44 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $54,089 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,436 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Methodist College lands at #45 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $69,800 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,787 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 45 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Finding the right nursing program in Illinois can feel overwhelming, especially with 45 options available. These schools have one thing in common: they all prepare students for a demanding yet rewarding career in healthcare. As we weigh the choices, understanding the potential earnings and graduation rates can help steer a decision that aligns with both career aspirations and financial realities.
The strongest nursing programs in this list stand out by demonstrating solid outcomes. Key metrics like earnings after graduation, graduation rates, debt levels, and overall program concentration reveal how well each school prepares its students. For example, while the average earnings for nursing graduates in Illinois sit at $54,673, the top programs consistently exceed this figure, illustrating their commitment to student success and workforce readiness.
Consider the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which boasts an impressive $81,054 in earnings and an 85% graduation rate. In contrast, Danville Area Community College shows earnings of $34,867 and a graduation rate of just 41%. This highlights not only the potential financial return on investment but also the importance of program completion in achieving those higher earnings. As we dive deeper into the rankings, these distinctions will help clarify which program may be the best fit for you or your family.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 35 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.5%. Chicago State University leads the group at 3.7%, with Roosevelt University (3.2%) and Loyola University Chicago (3.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 7.9% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Chicago State University leads at 25.7%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 23.5% across this list. Illinois Wesleyan University posts the highest success rate at 53.9%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.52 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Loyola University Chicago reaches 1.80, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing the University of Illinois Chicago and College of DuPage, the differences are stark. The former has a graduation rate of 61% and average earnings of $68,740, while the latter struggles with only a 25% graduation rate and earnings of $46,909. This disparity underscores the importance of choosing a program that supports student success, not just enrollment.
As you sift through these 45 nursing programs, consider your own priorities. Are you looking for a specific location, campus culture, or financial situation? Take a close look at the net price and debt levels, and weigh these against your career goals. A higher initial cost might pay off in the long run if it leads to better job placement and salary.
Ultimately, the stakes are high. Choosing the right nursing program can pave the way for a stable and rewarding career. For many families, the decision is about more than just education; it's about setting the foundation for a secure future. The right program can make a significant difference in your life path, ensuring that your investment in education translates into a successful career.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois ranking? +
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $56,346 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 56% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign posts the highest median earnings on this list: $81,054 ten years after enrollment, well above the $55,236 average across the 45 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Carl Sandburg College leads: graduates earn a median $35,274 against net price of about $3,662 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 85%, compared with a 53% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $16,658 a year across the 45 ranked schools with cost data. Carl Sandburg College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,662. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 45 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
