Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and completion times at Illinois practical nursing schools
LPN programs at Illinois community colleges often carry net prices below $5,000, making practical nursing one of the most cost-effective ways to enter healthcare in the state. Lake Land College, for example, reports a net price of $2,254 and Carl Sandburg College $3,662, figures that include grants and scholarships, while private for-profit options can exceed $21,000.
Programs span the state, from Chicago’s City Colleges to campuses in Rockford, Springfield, and downstate communities like Ullin and Ina. This geographic spread means students in both urban and rural areas can find an approved diploma program without relocating. Accelerated tracks lasting as few as nine months allow graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN and begin earning quickly in long-term care, clinics, and home health settings, where demand for licensed practical nurses remains high across Illinois.
These are the strongest licensed practical nursing programs in Illinois for 2026, with an emphasis on affordability, access, and reported outcomes. Each entry includes campus delivery, net price, institution-wide graduation rate, and debt or earnings data where the U.S. Department of Education reports it.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg, IL | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | Rural learners wanting low debt | |
A low-cost public option in Galesburg, with a reported net price around $3,662 and an institution-wide graduation rate of 50%. The one-year practical nursing certificate has strong reported outcomes, including a 93% licensure pass rate and 100% job placement. Students train at Galesburg and Carthage campuses and can continue into an LPN to RN pathway. College Scorecard data show median earnings around $35,274 and median debt about $4,909. ACEN accredited
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| #2 | Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL | $5,000 – $8,000/yr (est.) | Southern Illinois flexible schedule seekers | |
Serves far southern Illinois from Ullin with a reported net price around $4,162 and an institution-wide graduation rate of roughly 60%. The program reports a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate over the last eight years and offers both full-time and part-time schedules. Graduates have a direct pathway into the associate nursing program. College Scorecard data show median earnings around $32,999; median debt is not reported. ACEN accredited
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| #3 | Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | Central Illinois hospital clinical experience | |
A central Illinois option in Decatur with a reported net price around $3,741 and an institution-wide graduation rate of about 60%. The campus-based certificate includes clinical rotations in hospitals and community health settings. Transfer pathways support continued nursing education. College Scorecard data show median earnings around $38,793 and median debt of about $8,256.
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| #4 | Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | $4,000 – $10,000/yr (est.) | ||
A Springfield-area choice with a reported net price around $4,299 and an institution-wide graduation rate of roughly 48%. Classes are offered in Springfield, Jacksonville, and Hillsboro, with a 94% first-time licensure pass rate and a reported 92% employment rate within six months. The college also provides a PATH financial support program and LPN to ADN transition. College Scorecard data show median earnings around $38,479 and median debt of about $11,011. ACEN accredited
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| #5 | Sauk Valley Community College | Dixon, IL | ~$8,000/yr (est.) | ||
A Dixon program with a reported net price around $8,493 and an institution-wide graduation rate near 49%. Admission requires a CNA certificate, TEAS score, and recommendation letters, with clinicals in long-term care and hospitals. Graduates can move into the college's ADN program through advanced placement. College Scorecard data show median earnings around $40,458 and median debt of about $8,250.
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| #6 | Kankakee Community College | Kankakee, IL | under $5,000/yr (est.) | ||
A Kankakee-area option with a reported net price around $4,665 and an institution-wide graduation rate of about 32%. The one-year program reports 100% licensure and job placement rates and is approved by the Illinois State Board of Nursing. Admission requires a physical exam, background check, drug screen, and CPR certification. College Scorecard data show median earnings around $38,767 and median debt of about $9,969.
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| #7 | Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville, IL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.) | ||
A Belleville campus option in the St. Louis metro east with a reported net price around $10,427 and an institution-wide graduation rate near 36%. The program combines simulation labs and hospital clinical rotations across multiple start dates. Training covers bedside skills such as injections, vital signs, specimen collection, and wound care. College Scorecard data show median earnings around $36,884 and median debt of about $6,908.
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| #8 | Heartland Community College | Normal, IL | $12,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
A Normal-based program with a reported net price around $12,013 and an institution-wide graduation rate of about 54%. Students complete clinical rotations at Bloomington/Normal hospitals and travel to regional sites including Lincoln, Peoria, Pontiac, and Springfield. Admission requires prior CNA or medical assistant preparation. College Scorecard data show median earnings around $40,768 and median debt of about $7,826.
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How do you pick an Illinois LPN program that leads to licensure and a job without wasting your money? The practical nursing landscape includes community colleges, standalone schools of practical nursing, and private business and vocational schools. All must hold approval from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to make graduates eligible for the NCLEX-PN, the single required licensing exam. Beyond that baseline, programs differ sharply in cost, NCLEX preparation, and clinical access. This framework walks you through the factors that separate a solid investment from a poorly planned shortcut.
IDFPR approval is nonnegotiable. If a program does not appear on the IDFPR's official nursing program list (often referred to as the NurseSchools.pdf) or the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center's pre-licensure inventory, its graduates cannot sit for the NCLEX-PN in Illinois. Accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) is optional for practical nursing programs in Illinois. While ACEN accreditation can help with credit transfer, federal financial aid, and future graduate school applications, it is not a condition of NCLEX eligibility. That said, many high-quality programs choose to seek ACEN accreditation because it signals commitment to national standards. Always verify a program's current IDFPR approval status independently before you apply; do not rely solely on a school's website.
Tuition is only part of the picture. Compare net price, meaning the actual amount you will pay after grants and scholarships. Community college programs often carry lower tuition than private vocational schools, but that sticker difference can narrow once aid is factored in. Ask each program for a complete cost breakdown that includes: uniforms, clinical supplies, background checks, drug screening, liability insurance, and exam fees. NCLEX-PN registration costs, licensure application fees, and any required preparatory materials should also be in your calculation. A program that advertises one number but surfaces extra charges after enrollment can disrupt your finances unexpectedly.
A program's primary job is to prepare you for the NCLEX-PN. IDFPR publishes school-level pass-rate data, making it possible to compare outcomes across approved programs. Look for first-time pass rates above the national average, which hovers around 80 percent in recent years. A school with consistently low pass rates may indicate weak curriculum alignment with the exam, insufficient clinical hours, or limited student support. Marketing brochures can tout job placement rates, glowing testimonials, or graduation ceremony photos, but nothing predicts licensure readiness as clearly as the percentage of graduates who pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. Access the data directly through IDFPR resources rather than relying on a school's self-reported summary.
Clinical rotations are where you translate classroom skills into patient care. The quality and location of these placements matter. In competitive metropolitan areas like Chicago, many programs compete for a limited pool of hospital and long-term care slots, which can mean less flexibility and sometimes less desirable shifts. Downstate programs may offer easier access to clinical sites and potentially more hands-on time. When comparing schools, ask how clinical placements are assigned, whether you can expect a consistent schedule, and how the program handles site shortages. If a program is vague about where you will complete your clinical hours, consider it a red flag.
Schedule flexibility varies widely. Some programs offer full-time day tracks that take 11 to 12 months, while others provide evening or weekend options for students balancing work and family. A handful of programs now include hybrid components, with didactic coursework online and in-person labs and clinicals. Think realistically about your availability and transportation. A program that demands an inflexible 40-hour-a-week commitment for a full year may not be tenable if you need to maintain employment, even if the price looks right.
The net price, which reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships, ranges from $2,232 at Illinois Valley Community College to $21,601 at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College, a private for-profit school. Community colleges consistently offer lower out-of-pocket costs, with many reporting median graduate debt under $10,000. Actual costs vary by individual financial aid eligibility, but these figures provide a clear baseline for comparing program affordability.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price After Aid | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Valley Community College | $15,239 | $16,385 | $2,232 | $8,233 |
| Lake Land College | $8,342 | $14,301 | $2,254 | $6,188 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | $8,502 | $9,846 | $2,829 | $9,500 |
| Carl Sandburg College | $8,000 | $8,900 | $3,662 | $4,909 |
| Richland Community College | $10,800 | $17,070 | $3,741 | $8,256 |
| Shawnee Community College | $7,200 | $7,500 | $4,162 | N/A |
| Lincoln Land Community College | $7,104 | $10,464 | $4,299 | $11,011 |
| Kishwaukee College | $9,120 | $13,680 | $4,574 | $9,395 |
| Oakton College | $10,446 | $12,462 | $5,183 | $5,250 |
| Kaskaskia College | $7,770 | $12,570 | $6,477 | $3,750 |
| Black Hawk College | $7,950 | $8,100 | $6,944 | $8,375 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College | $12,090 | $15,150 | $7,220 | $8,375 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College | $12,090 | $15,150 | $7,886 | $4,500 |
| Parkland College | $9,642 | $13,266 | $8,048 | $8,548 |
| Rend Lake College | $7,800 | $7,800 | $9,187 | $5,809 |
| Olney Central College | $10,960 | $12,460 | $10,092 | $6,500 |
| Southwestern Illinois College | $7,740 | $6,720 | $10,427 | $6,908 |
| Southeastern Illinois College | $6,540 | $6,780 | $11,437 | N/A |
| William Rainey Harper College | $10,062 | $11,874 | $11,607 | $10,184 |
| Heartland Community College | $10,590 | $13,110 | $12,013 | $7,826 |
| Illinois Central College | $10,230 | $12,150 | $12,961 | $8,900 |
| Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College | $16,699 | $16,699 | $21,601 | $14,302 |
Traditional on-campus lectures require commuting to a classroom at set times, but online and hybrid LPN formats move didactic coursework online while keeping hands-on clinicals in person. This blended model opens the door for working adults, parents, and students in rural areas to enter practical nursing without relocating or quitting their job.
An LPN program labeled online or hybrid rarely means 100% remote. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation mandates supervised clinical hours, so you must complete lab simulations and direct patient care at approved healthcare sites. The online portion typically covers nursing theory, pharmacology, growth and development, and fundamentals through a learning management system. You watch recorded lectures, join live Zoom discussions, and submit assignments digitally, but the skills checkoffs and clinical rotations happen face-to-face.
Start with community college websites. Schools like Heartland Community College, Carl Sandburg College, and John Wood Community College publish LPN program pages that often specify delivery format for the current academic cycle. Look for phrases such as "hybrid," "blended," or "online didactic" in the program description or FAQ. Some institutions list the required on-campus days per week, making it easier to plan around a job.
For a broader search, visit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) or the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Both maintain directories of approved practical nursing programs. While these lists may not tag hybrid options directly, they provide contact information so you can call or email admissions offices and ask: "Are any didactic courses delivered online for the 2025-2026 cohort?" Direct inquiry is often the most reliable way to confirm format details.
Professional nursing associations offer another layer of insight. The Illinois Nurses Association and the National League for Nursing publish resources and program databases that sometimes flag distance learning components. Their websites may also carry updates about pilot online LPN initiatives or state grants that expand hybrid access.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook provides a reliable overview of LPN training requirements and job prospects, but it does not list school-specific delivery formats. Use it for salary and outlook data, then go directly to program websites for the precise blend of online and in-person instruction.
Becoming an LPN in Illinois typically takes one to two years from starting your program to receiving your license, depending on whether prerequisites are already completed. You'll follow a clear sequence: complete an approved practical nursing diploma, pass state screenings, and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. Below is the step-by-step pathway.
What NCLEX-PN pass rate should you expect from a quality LPN program in Illinois? First-time pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses offer one of the most direct measures of how well a program prepares its graduates for entry-level practice. Because passing the NCLEX-PN is the final gateway to licensure, a program’s pass rate is a vital statistic for prospective students comparing schools.
The NCLEX-PN is the standardized test that every aspiring LPN must pass to obtain a license. First-time pass rates reflect the percentage of graduates who succeed on their initial attempt, which is often a strong predictor of future career readiness. In Illinois, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) monitors these rates closely, using them to hold programs accountable. Schools that consistently produce graduates who pass at high rates tend to have rigorous curricula, strong clinical partnerships, and effective faculty support.
In 2024, Illinois LPN programs reported a first-time pass rate of 91% across 1,456 test-takers, comfortably above the national average of 88% for first-time U.S.-educated candidates. The following year, the state rate dipped to 88% (out of 1,667 test-takers), while the national rate also edged down to 86.6%. Although the margin has narrowed, Illinois continues to perform slightly better than the national benchmark. A pass rate consistently above 85% is generally regarded as strong; a rate above 90% signals exceptional program performance.
While statewide averages provide useful context, individual program performance varies. One program available on IDFPR reports stands out: Ambria College of Nursing posted 100% first-time pass rates for both 2023 and 2024. Although 2025 data is not yet published, this multi-year consistency suggests a highly effective instructional model.
| LPN Program | 2023 Pass Rate | 2024 Pass Rate | 2025 Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambria College of Nursing | 100% | 100% | N/A |
| Illinois State Average (All Programs) | N/A | 91% | 88% |
| National Average (First-Time U.S.-Educated) | N/A | 88% | 86.6% |
For a complete listing of program-specific pass rates in Illinois, consult the IDFPR’s annual nursing education reports. These publications break down results by school and year, making it easy to spot patterns.
A single year’s pass rate can be influenced by a small graduating cohort, a curriculum transition, or an unusually challenging exam cycle. That’s why employers and regulators look at two- to three-year trends. A program that hovers around 100% year after year, like Ambria College of Nursing, is less of a gamble than one that swings between 70% and 95%. When researching, prioritize schools with stable or improving rates. A program that dips below the state or national average for multiple years may be struggling with instructional quality or student support.
The IDFPR can place nursing programs that fail to meet a minimum first-time pass rate threshold on probation. While the exact trigger varies, programs consistently below 80% face heightened scrutiny and may be required to submit remediation plans. This rarely affects the top-tier schools, but it underscores the need to investigate a program’s track record before enrolling. A spot check of IDFPR disclosures can reveal whether a program you’re considering has been placed on conditional status or given a set timeline to improve.
NCLEX-PN pass rates are a powerful screening tool, but they shouldn’t be the only factor. Pair them with an evaluation of total program cost, location, schedule flexibility, and clinical placement opportunities. For example, an in-person LPN diploma in Chicago might charge more but offer higher pass rates; an online hybrid option in a rural area might be more affordable but require extra diligence around outcomes. The best approach is to gather multiple years of pass-rate data from IDFPR or the program’s own consumer disclosures, then cross-reference that with your budget and logistical needs.
The fastest path to LPN licensure in Illinois is through accelerated programs that pack the curriculum into 9 to 12 months. Capital Area School of Practical Nursing runs a 9-month day-only program with cohorts starting each August and February.1 Students attend full-time, Monday through Friday, and there are no evening or weekend classes. Ambria College of Nursing offers a 12-month day track, along with 16-month and 20-month part-time options for those who need a lighter pace.2 Verve College's online-hybrid format takes 12 to 14 months, blending digital coursework with in-person clinicals.3
With over 30 approved practical nursing programs at Illinois community colleges,4 many schools provide a day track that can be finished in 11 or 12 months. These accelerated sequences run through the calendar year, often including a summer term, and are designed around full-time attendance. Prospective students should confirm the published duration and actual time to completion, including prerequisites, through the college catalog or nursing department website. Graduates of these programs earn the same diploma of practical nursing and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN, regardless of whether they chose a fast track or a longer one.
For working adults, many of the same schools offer evening or part-time tracks that stretch the program to 16 to 24 months. Carl Sandburg College, Heartland Community College, and other community college programs frequently structure their LPN pathways this way. The trade-off is a longer timeline in exchange for a schedule that fits around a job or family commitments. Part-time programs cover identical content and clinical hours; only the pace differs. If finishing quickly is the priority, a day program is almost always the answer.
Accelerated LPN programs demand a full-time commitment. Course loads are heavier per term, summer breaks are often eliminated, and there is little room for outside employment. Clinical rotations begin early and require travel to partnering healthcare facilities. Before enrolling, check whether the program includes built-in remediation or tutoring supports, because the faster pace leaves less time to catch up if a subject becomes difficult. But a quicker finish means entering the workforce and earning a salary sooner, which can offset the intensity.
LPN salaries in Illinois outpace many parts of the country, thanks to a strong healthcare sector and high demand in metropolitan areas. The wage landscape shifts noticeably when you compare regions across the state, from Chicago to downstate communities, so understanding local earning potential is essential before you commit to a program.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks detailed wage data for licensed practical nurses across Illinois. Statewide, median annual earnings for LPNs tend to sit above the national median, and the range between the 10th and 90th percentiles reveals how experience, certification, and work setting influence pay. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area, LPN wages are typically the highest in the state, reflecting the larger cost of living and concentration of major hospitals and long-term care facilities. Springfield, Rockford, and Peoria each present their own wage profiles, with medians that often fall between the Chicago peak and the lower thresholds seen in more rural downstate counties. For up-to-date metro-level breakdowns, the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics page for Illinois is the authoritative source.
Nationally, employment of LPNs is projected to grow 3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 54,400 annual openings resulting from both new positions and the need to replace workers who retire or leave the field.1 Illinois largely mirrors this trend. State-specific projections from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and Projections Central point to steady demand, especially in skilled nursing, home health, and outpatient clinics. While the growth rate may not be explosive, the sheer volume of annual openings makes LPN a stable entry point into nursing with plenty of opportunity across the state.
Beyond the broad BLS tables, region-specific salary data often requires a more hands-on approach. Contacting LPN programs directly, especially those from top nursing programs in Illinois with strong clinical partnerships in your target city, can yield candid information about starting wages their graduates are receiving. Professional organizations such as the Illinois Nurses Association and the Illinois Society for LPNs also publish member surveys and localized job outlook briefs. For the most current employment projections, visit the IDES website or Projections Central and search by SOC code 29-2061 to see how Illinois forecasts compare to neighboring states. These resources help you gauge not only what you’ll earn, but where you’ll find the strongest hiring momentum.
Salaries for Licensed Practical Nurses vary significantly by location. While Illinois LPNs earn more than the national median, wages within the state also differ, with the Chicago metro area offering the highest pay.
Find quick answers to common questions about practical nursing programs in Illinois, including timelines, costs, and licensing steps. These FAQs cover what you need to know before enrolling.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, Illinois is home to many more quality LPN options. This directory organizes 15 additional schools by region so you can easily browse programs in the Chicago area, northern, central, and southern parts of the state. Each entry includes location, format, and net price to help you compare at a glance.
