Nursing Schools in Illinois: All 183 Approved Programs & NCLEX Pass Rates

Illinois has 112 schools running 183 board-approved nursing programs — 118 RN-track and 65 PN/LPN-track. The average 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across Illinois programs is 85.4%, 1.1 points below the national average of 86.5%. Every row below comes straight from the state board of nursing's published approved-program list — not self-reported school marketing.

183

Approved programs

112

Schools

85.4%

Avg RN pass rate (2025)

86.5%

National RN average

Best Nursing Schools in Illinois by NCLEX Pass Rate

Top RN programs ranked by 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, among programs with a published 2025 rate. Rates are one year of data — check multi-year trends before deciding.

1
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston · Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)
100%
2
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake · Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)
100%
3
Millikin University
Decatur · Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)
100%
4
Shawnee College
Ullin · Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)
100%
5
Southeastern Illinois College
Harrisburg · Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)
100%
6
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights · Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)
100%
7
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Rock Island · Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)
100%
8
Illinois Eastern Com College of Nursing / Olney Central College
Olney · Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)
98.3%
9
Illinois Eastern Com College of Nursing / Olney Central College
Fairfield · Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)
98.3%
10
Illinois Eastern Com College of Nursing / Olney Central College
Robinson · Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)
98.3%

Every Approved Nursing Program in Illinois

Sort by any column, filter RN vs PN/LPN, or search a school or city.

183 of 183 programs · “—” = no 2025 first-time pass rate published by the board


Adonis College of Nursing	—	Licensed Practical Nurses, LPNPN	100%
Americare Technical School	Park Ridge	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	89.5%
Aquarius Institute	DesPlaines	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	100%
ATS Institute of Technology	Chicago	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	89.8%
Aurora University	Aurora	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	82%
Aurora University	Aurora	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	79.2%
Beck School of Practical Nursing	Red Bud	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	83.3%
Black Hawk College	Moline	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	87.9%
Black Hawk College	Moline	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	92.3%
Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing	Quincy	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	90%
Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing	Quincy	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	—
Bradley University	Peoria	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	93.2%
CAAN Academy of Nursing	Matteson	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	80%
CAAN Academy of Nursing	Matteson	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	87.5%
CALC Institute of Technology	Alton	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	100%
CALC Institute of Technology	O'Fallon	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	100%
Capital Area School of Practical Nursing	Springfield	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	90.1%
Carl Sandburg College	Galesburg	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	94.1%
Carl Sandburg College	Galesburg	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	85.7%
Carl Sandburg College	Carthage	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	85.7%
CCC-School of Nursing at Malcolm X	Chicago	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	80.3%
CCC-School of Nursing at Malcolm X	Chicago	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	90%
Chamberlain College of Nursing	Addison	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	77.1%
Chamberlain College of Nursing	Chicago	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	77.1%
Chamberlain College of Nursing	Tinley Park	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	77.1%
Chicago State University	Chicago	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	33.3%
College of DuPage	Glen Ellyn	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	89.7%
College of DuPage	Glen Ellyn	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	100%
College of Lake County-AD	Grayslake	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	85%
Concordia University - Chicago	River Forest	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	—
Danville Area Community College	Danville	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	92.6%
Danville Area Community College	Danville	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	96.3%
DePaul University School of Nursing	Chicago	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	—
DePaul University School of Nursing	Chicago	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	86.8%
DePaul University School of Nursing	North Chicago	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	86.8%
Dominican University	River Forest	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	87.2%
Eastern Illinois University	Charleston	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	100%
Elgin Community College	Elgin	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	92.4%
Elmhurst University	Elmhurst	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	77.5%
Elmhurst University	Elmhurst	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	83.3%
First Step to Excellence, HCTA	Chicago	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	—
Genesis Healthcare Institute	—	Licensed Practical Nurses, LPNPN	73.3%
Graham College of Nursing	Canton	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	—
Graham Hospital Association	Canton	Hospital Program (Code 1)RN	72.7%
Great Paragon Healthcare, Inc.	Chicago	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	86.2%
Heartland Community College	Normal	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	71.4%
Heartland Community College	Normal	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	100%
Highland Community College	Freeport	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	77.3%
Illinois Central College	Peoria	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	86.7%
Illinois Central College	Peoria	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	86.8%
Illinois College of Nursing	Palos Hills	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	36.8%
Illinois College, Department of Nursing	Jacksonville	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	52.9%
Illinois Eastern Com College of Nursing	Olney	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	100%
Illinois Eastern Com College of Nursing / Olney Central College	Olney	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	98.3%
Illinois Eastern Com College of Nursing / Olney Central College	Fairfield	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	98.3%
Illinois Eastern Com College of Nursing / Olney Central College	Robinson	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	98.3%
Illinois Eastern Com College of Nursing / Olney Central College	Mt Carmel	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	98.3%
Illinois Institute of Nursing Studies, Inc.	Rockford	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	42.9%
Illinois Valley Community College	Oglesby	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	90.2%
Illinois Valley Community College	Oglesby	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	100%
Illinois Wesleyan University	Bloomington	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	80%
Instituto College	Chicago	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	77.8%
John A Logan Community College	Carterville	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	100%
John A. Logan College	Carterville	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	98.3%
John Wood Community College	Quincy	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	89.3%
John Wood Community College	Quincy	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	100%
Joliet Junior College	Joliet	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	95%
Joliet Junior College	Joliet	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	100%
JRenee College	—	Licensed Practical Nurses, LPNPN	—
Judson University / Ambria College of Nursing	Hoffman Estates	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	95%
Judson University / Ambria College of Nursing	Hoffman Estates	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	—
Judson University / Ambria College of Nursing	Hoffman Estates	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	100%
Kankakee Community College	Kankakee	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	92.7%
Kankakee Community College	Kankakee	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	100%
Kaskaskia College	Centralia	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	91.5%
Kaskaskia College	Centralia	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	91.9%
Kaskaskia College	East St. Louis	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	91.9%
Kaskaskia College	Vandalia	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	91.9%
Kishwaukee College	Malta	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	90%
Kishwaukee College	Malta	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	85.7%
Lake Land College	Mattoon	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	94.8%
Lake Land College	Effingham	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	94.8%
Lake Land College	Mattoon	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	94.7%
Lake Land College	Effingham	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	94.7%
Lakeside Health Institute, Inc	Oak Lawn	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	—
Lakeview College of Nursing	Danville	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	93.9%
Lewis & Clark Community College	Godfrey	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	88.5%
Lewis University	Romeoville	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	86.1%
Lewis University	Chicago	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	86.1%
Lewis University	Oak Brook	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	86.1%
Lincoln Land Community College	Springfield	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	82.2%
Lincoln Land Community College	Springfield	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	87.1%
Lincoln Land Community College	Jacksonville	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	87.1%
Lincoln Land Community College	Hillsboro	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	87.1%
Loyola University of Chicago / Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing	Chicago	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	89.1%
McHenry County College	Crystal Lake	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	100%
Mennonite Nursing at ISU C of N	Normal	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	93.7%
Mennonite Nursing at ISU C of N	Springfield	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	93.7%
Methodist College	Peoria	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	85.7%
Methodist College	Peoria	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	93.3%
Midwestern Career College	Chicago	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	—
Millikin University	Decatur	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	79%
Millikin University	Decatur	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	100%
Moraine Valley Community College	Palos Hills	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	85.9%
Moraine Valley Community College	Blue Island	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	85.9%
Moraine Valley Community College	Tinley Park	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	85.9%
Moraine Valley Community College	Palos Hills	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	100%
Morton College	Cicero	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	96.3%
Morton College	Cicero	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	100%
National Louis University	Chicago	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	33.3%
New Lake College	Franklin Park	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	88.9%
North Central College	Naperville	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	—
North Park University	Chicago	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	88.7%
North Park University	Chicago	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	92.6%
North Shore College	Wheeling	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	90.2%
Northern Illinois University	DeKalb	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	80.7%
Northwestern College	—	Associate Degree Nursing, A D NRN	—
Oak Point / Resurrection Univ	—	Baccalaureate Degrees, RNRN	20%
Oakton Community College	Des Plaines	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	97.1%
Oakton Community College	Des Plaines	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	80%
Olivet Nazarene University	Bourbonnais	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	98.1%
Parkland College	Champaign	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	89.5%
Parkland College	Champaign	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	90%
Prairie State College	Chicago Heights	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	84.2%
Rasmussen University	Romeoville	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	63%
Rasmussen University	Aurora	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	63%
Rasmussen University	Mokena	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	63%
Rasmussen University	Rockford	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	63%
Rend Lake College	Ina	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	80%
Rend Lake College	Ina	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	97.1%
Richland Community College	Decatur	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	75%
Richland Community College-AD	Decatur	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	90%
Rock Valley College	Rockford	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	92.3%
Rockford Career College	Rockford	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	89.2%
Rockford University Dept of NSG-DE	Rockford	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	88.9%
Roosevelt University	Chicago	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	81.8%
Rosalind Franklin University, College of Nursing	North Chicago	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	77.8%
Rush University	Chicago	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	90.3%
Sauk Valley Community College	Dixon	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	71%
Sauk Valley Community College	Dixon	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	100%
Scott School of Careers	Chicago	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	—
Scott School of Careers	South Holland	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	—
Shawnee College	Ullin	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	100%
Shawnee Community College	Ullin	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	86.2%
South Suburban College	South Holland	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	86.7%
Southeastern Illinois College	Harrisburg	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	100%
Southeastern Illinois College	Harrisburg	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	100%
Southern Illinois University Carbondale	Carbondale	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	85.3%
Southern Illinois University Carbondale	Springfield	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	85.3%
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville	Edwardsville	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	89.9%
Southwestern Illinois College	Belleville	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	77.7%
Southwestern Illinois College	Granite City	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	77.7%
Southwestern Illinois College	Granite City	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	75%
Southwestern Illinois College	East St. Louis	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	75%
Southwestern Illinois College	Red Bud	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	75%
Spoon River College	Canton	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	72.4%
Spoon River College	Macomb	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	72.4%
Spoon River College	Canton	Ladder Option Approved Designated Programs (LPN)PN	92.6%
St. Anthony College of NRSG-DE	Rockford	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	94%
St. Anthony College of NRSG-DE	Rockford	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	94%
St. Francis Medical Center C of N	Peoria	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	90.8%
St. Francis Medical Center C of N	Monmouth	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	90.8%
St. John's College	Springfield	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	86.4%
St. Xavier University	Chicago	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	86.1%
State Career College	Gurnee	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	62.3%
Stellar Career College	Chicago	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	—
Trinity Christian College	Palos Heights	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	100%
Trinity College Dept Nursing	Rock Island	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	90%
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences	Rock Island	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	100%
Triton College	River Grove	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	90.5%
Univ. of St Francis C of N	Joliet	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	87.3%
University of Illinois Chicago	Chicago	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	81.9%
University of Illinois Chicago	Springfield	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	81.9%
University of Illinois Chicago	Champaign	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	81.9%
University of Illinois Chicago	Chicago	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	92.7%
University of Illinois Chicago	Rockford	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	92.7%
University of Illinois Chicago	Champaign	Master's Entry Level Program, RN (Code 11)RN	92.7%
Verve College	Oak Brook	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	78.7%
Verve College	Chicago	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	78.7%
Waubonsee Community College	Aurora	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	97.8%
Western Illinois University Scool of Nursing	Macomb	Baccalaureate Program, RN (Code 37)RN	92%
William Rainey Harper College	Palatine	Associate Degree Program, RN (Code 43)RN	93.3%
William Rainey Harper College	Palatine	Practical Nursing Program, LPN (Code 38)PN	100%

Whichever school you choose, the NCLEX is the finish line

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best nursing school in Illinois by NCLEX pass rate?

7 RN programs in Illinois tied for the highest 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate at 100%, including Eastern Illinois University in Charleston — see the full ranked list above, among programs with a published 2025 rate on the state board's list.

How many nursing schools are in Illinois?

Illinois has 112 schools offering 183 board-approved nursing programs: 118 RN-track (ADN/BSN and similar) and 65 PN/LPN-track programs, per the state board of nursing's current approved-program list.

What is the average NCLEX pass rate in Illinois?

Across Illinois RN programs with a published 2025 rate, the average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 85.4% — 1.1 points below the national average of 86.5%.

What does a first-time NCLEX pass rate tell me about a school?

It is the share of a program’s graduates who passed the NCLEX on their first attempt — the single most comparable public outcome number nursing programs report. Boards of nursing track it for program approval, and consistently low rates can put a program on conditional status. Compare it alongside cost, location, and program length, not in isolation.

About this data

Program list and 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates are taken directly from the Illinois board of nursing's published approved-program materials. “—” means the board did not publish a 2025 rate for that program (new programs, small cohorts, or PN lists without rate tables). Pass rates refresh annually; this page is rebuilt from the board lists when they update.

idfpr.illinois.gov — list: Roster REVISED July 02, 2026 (rates: CY2025 report, approvals as of Dec 31, 2025)
idfpr.illinois.gov — list: CY2025 pass-rate report (approvals as of Dec 31, 2025)