There are over 30 BSN programs in Illinois to choose from. With all those options, how do you even start to narrow down the right school?
To help you begin, we ranked each Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing program in Illinois. Whereas other ranking sites use questionable methodology in their rankings, we used hard data.
To do this, we compiled the 2022 NCLEX pass rates for each undergraduate nursing program in Illinois from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Before we jump into the rankings, remember that you’re not limited to the schools on this list. In fact, there are lots of high quality online BSN programs to choose from.
For now though, let’s explore the best BSN programs in Illinois!
Table of Contents
What Is The Best BSN Program In Illinois?
The best BSN program in Illinois is Olivet Nazarene University.
Of all the schools in the state, this one had the highest NCLEX pass rate in 2022. 97% of graduates taking the exam passed.
However, keep in mind that just because this school ranks number one on our list doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for you. You should consider factors like location, degree pathways, and salary expectations.
To learn more about Olivet Nazarene and the other top-ranked BSN programs in Illinois, keep reading!
5 Best BSN Programs In Illinois
All of the BSN programs in Illinois are listed in the table below, ranked by 2022 NCLEX pass rate. To learn more about the top five programs, keep reading after the table.
It’s worth noting that our data source also included Associate Degree in Nursing and Master’s of Science in Nursing outcomes. However, in this article, we’re only focusing on Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing programs.
| School | 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate |
| Olivet Nazarene University | 97% |
| Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing | 94% |
| Western Illinois University | 93% |
| Bradley University | 92% |
| Lewis University | 92% |
| St. Anthony College of Nursing | 92% |
| Mennonite Nursing at Illinois State Univ. | 90% |
| Trinity College | 89% |
| University of St. Francis Cof N & Allied Health | 88% |
| Loyola University | 87% |
| St. Francis Medical Center | 84% |
| St. John’s College of Nursing | 84% |
| Trinity Christian College | 84% |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 83% |
| Lakeview College of Nursing | 81% |
| Methodist College | 81% |
| North Park University | 80% |
| Dominican University | 79% |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | 79% |
| Aurora University | 78% |
| Chamberlain College of Nursing | 78% |
| Northern Illinois University | 75% |
| Illinois College, Department of Nursing | 73% |
| Elmhurst College | 71% |
| Oak Point University | 70% |
| Millikin University | 67% |
| Rockford University Dept of Nursing | 64% |
| University of Illinois Chicago | 64% |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | 63% |
| St. Xavier University | 60% |
| Roosevelt University | 53% |
| Chicago State University | 50% |
1. Olivet Nazarene University
As we just mentioned, the top-ranked BSN program in Illinois is Olivet Nazarene University with a 2022 NCLEX pass rate of 97%. Of the 72 graduates who took the exam, 70 passed.
The school offers two pathways for earning this type of nursing degree:
- RN to BSN
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
The RN to BSN track is completed online and allows current Registered Nurses to earn their degree in 15 months. However, there’s also a 12-month fast track option.
Meanwhile, the ABSN track is designed for students who hold an undergraduate degree in another field but want to transition into nursing.
You can complete the ABSN pathway in as little as 16 months. It consists of online theory classes and hands-on clinical experiences.
It’s also worth noting that this school provides a lot of advanced degree options. For example, they offer Master’s degrees in nursing, certificate programs, and even a Doctoral program. Better yet, all these options are online.
According to GradReports:
- The employment rate for graduates from this program is 100%
- Median debt after graduation is $25,000 (based on 276 students)
- Median alumni salary is $62,520 (based on 294 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 39/100 salary score
2. Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing
Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing ranks number two in our list of the best BSN programs in Illinois. In 2022, they had a pass rate of 94%. Of the 47 test-takers, 44 of them passed.
This college provides four options for earning your baccalaureate degree:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- BSN Transfer Option
- BSN as a Second Degree
- RN to BSN
The first one is a traditional four-year track designed for recent high school graduates or college students with 12 or less credit hours. The school partners with Culver-Stockton College and Quincy University to deliver this track.
The BSN Transfer Option is meant for students who’ve earned 13 or more credit hours at another institution. The school partners with Culver-Stockton and Quincy to deliver this track as well.
However, there is an Advance Transfer Option to enter directly into Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing.
The BSN as a Second Degree pathway was created for students who already hold a non-nursing degree but want to transition into the area. This option typically takes about two years.
Finally, the RN to BSN track is completed entirely online and allows current RNs to advance their nursing education.
Unfortunately, GradReports doesn’t have any data for BRCN. However, one student on Niche said:
“The amount of resources offered to students is the reason that I chose to come here. I have met some great mentors and definitely grown a lot since being here. I recommend this nursing school to anyone that is willing to put the hard work in to have a great outcome.”
-Senior (December 9, 2021)
3. Western Illinois University
The third best BSN program in Illinois is Western Illinois University with a 2022 NCLEX pass rate of 93%. 29 students took the exam, and 27 of them passed.
This university offers three pathways for earning your undergraduate nursing degree:
- Pre-nursing
- Pre-licensure
- Online RN to BSN
The Pre-nursing track is designed for students who have not yet completed their general education requirements. It prepares students to apply to the Pre-licensure program.
If you have your general education and nursing support courses completed, you can enter into the pre-licensure program. It’s worth noting that this track is offered at their Macomb campus only.
Finally, the Online RN to BSN pathway is delivered virtually and allows RNs to earn their baccalaureate degree.
According to GradReports:
- The employment rate for graduates from this program is 100%
- Median debt after graduation is $27,000 (based on 42 students)
- Median alumni salary is $59,990 (based on 47 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 30/100 salary score
4. Bradley University
The next best BSN program in Illinois is Bradley University with an NCLEX pass rate of 92% in 2022. Of the 77 graduates taking the test, 71 of them passed.
Bradley University offers the following pathways to earn your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree:
- Nursing
- Registered Nurse Entry
- Licensed Practical Nurse Entry
- Accelerated Nursing (ABSN 2nd Degree)
The first track is a traditional four-year degree offered at their campus in Peoria, IL. It’s a direct-entry program, meaning you can enroll in the Nursing program as a first-year student.
The Registered Nurse Entry is an RN to BSN track that allows current RNs to earn their baccalaureate degree. It’s not clear if this option is offered in person, but there is definitely an online option.
The Licensed Practical Nurse Entry pathway is an LPN to BSN program preparing LPNs to pass the NCLEX-RN and become RNs.
Finally, the Accelerated Nursing, or ABSN Second Degree, is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing undergraduate degree and is typically completed in about 15 months.
According to GradReports:
- The employment rate for graduates from this program is 100%
- Median debt after graduation is $27,000 (based on 130 students)
- Median alumni salary is $62,120 (based on 119 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 38/100 salary score
5. Lewis University
The fifth and final school in our Illinois BSN program rankings is Lewis University with a 2022 NCLEX pass rate of 92%. Of the 104 graduates taking the exam, 96 of them passed.
This university offers two different pathways for earning your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree:
- Nursing, BSN
- Bachelor’s to BSN (Accelerated)
Both of the tracks above feature over 20 potential clinical sites, and the program has maintained NCLEX pass rates of over 90% since at least 2015.
It’s also worth noting that Lewis University provides a number of on-campus opportunities, like the Student Nurse Association and Men Entering Nursing (MEN).
The BSN track is a traditional four-year program, while the Bachelor’s to BSN pathway is designed for students with a non-nursing degree looking to get into the nursing field.
According to GradReports:
- The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
- Median debt after graduation is $27,000 (based on 79 students)
- Median alumni salary is $66,760 (based on 70 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 54/100 salary score
What Is The Average BSN Nurse Salary In Illinois?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a Registered Nurse in Illinois is $78,260.
Unfortunately, BLS does not differentiate average salaries for ADN- and BSN-educated nurses. That means the statistic above represents both education levels.
Since nurses with a BSN degree have more advanced training and knowledge, they can expect to earn more than their counterparts with Associate degrees.
Should You Enroll In An Illinois BSN Program?
If you’re looking to enroll in a BSN program in Illinois to start or advance your nursing career, any of the options above could make a good choice.
Just keep in mind that you need to select a program that fits your needs. Consider the degree pathway you want to pursue, and think about which location makes sense for you.
Of course, you could opt to enter an online BSN program instead, providing you more flexibility as you learn.
To discover a BSN program suited to your needs and interests, click here!
Nurse Luke is a CRNA who specializes in Nursing content and still enjoys a very busy career with Locum, Per Diem and Travel nursing in the greater midwest. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and received his CRNA masters degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Healthcare. He is passionate about helping nurses explore the options of becoming a travel nurse as well as spending time with his Family.
