Nursing Schools in Illinois
37 Illinois schools offer Nursing. Earnings in Illinois are in line with the national average, so compare programs on commute, tuition, and fit rather than on statewide outcomes alone.
Nursing Training in Illinois: What You Need to Know
Local program supply
Illinois has 37 schools offering Nursing programs, concentrated in 3 cities including {'city': 'Rockford', 'city_slug': 'rockford', 'count': 2, 'avg_earn': 68174.0}, {'city': 'Joliet', 'city_slug': 'joliet', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 71988.0}, {'city': 'Chicago', 'city_slug': 'chicago', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 70086.0}. Most students attend within 60 miles of home — local choice matters more than national rankings.
Earnings vs. national
Nursing graduates in Illinois earn approximately $66,182/year on average, which is -5% below the national average for this trade. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Illinois-specific licensing
Most skilled trades require a state-issued license or certification before you can work independently. Requirements vary substantially by state. Verify Illinois-specific licensing through the relevant state board (Department of Labor, Contractors Board, or trade-specific licensing body). Apprenticeship hours often count toward licensure.
How Illinois compares
Average TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing programs in Illinois is 82/100. Cost of living, wage levels, and program supply all vary by state — see the school list below ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score, which combines earnings, debt, and job-market demand.
Nursing Programs in Illinois
All 37 Illinois schools offering Nursing, ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click a school to see full earnings projections and program details.
Where Nursing Programs Cluster in Illinois
Cities with the most Nursing programs — useful if you want to minimize commute or relocate within state.
| City | Schools | Avg Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL | 2 | $68,174/yr |
| Joliet, IL | 1 | $71,988/yr |
| Chicago, IL | 1 | $70,086/yr |
Compare Nursing in Other States
Considering a nearby state? Here's how Illinois compares to others with strong Nursing offerings.