Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for Aurora-area BSN programs to find your best fit.
Aurora sits squarely in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro, where hospitals such as Rush Copley Medical Center and Presence Mercy Medical Center fuel steady demand for registered nurses. From your window, you can reach some of the best RN-to-BSN programs in Illinois; our ranking pulls together 10 accredited BSN and ADN options within a reasonable commute. Balancing tuition costs against clinical placement access and NCLEX performance remains the central challenge, and the numbers show that the most affordable route is not always the most expedient.
Looking for the best nursing schools near Aurora, Illinois? Our ranking highlights top BSN and ADN programs within reach of Aurora, balancing academic reputation, affordability, and graduate success. These schools prepare you for a rewarding career in nursing, whether you choose a direct-entry BSN, an accelerated path, or an associate degree.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | Students wanting a public research university in Chicago | |
A top public research university in Chicago, UIC offers a hybrid BSN with three entry pathways and a direct-entry MSN for career changers. The nursing school is highly ranked in Illinois and benefits from an extensive healthcare network for clinical placements. With competitive tuition and strong post-graduation earnings, it's a solid investment for aspiring nurses.
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| #2 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | $17,000/yr | Aurora-area learners seeking a private nursing school | |
Located in Romeoville, just minutes from Aurora, Lewis University's campus-based BSN boasts a 98% NCLEX pass rate and a top-ten Illinois ranking. The program emphasizes holistic patient care and offers clinical rotations at over 50 Chicago-area sites. Its supportive community and strong focus on ethics prepare graduates for diverse nursing roles.
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| #3 | Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | $32,000/yr | Career changers needing a BSN without prerequisites | |
Chamberlain University's Addison campus provides an accelerated 3-year BSN with no prerequisite courses, making it accessible for career changers. The program combines online coursework with hands-on training in simulation labs and weekly clinicals. With CCNE accreditation and flexible scheduling, it caters to students at various life stages.
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| #4 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | $2,000/yr (net price) | ||
Lake Land College in Mattoon offers an affordable ADN program with a 30-year track record of excellence. The campus-based program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and provides pathways to online BSN completion through partnerships with Illinois universities. Its low net price and strong completion rates make it a budget-friendly launchpad for nursing careers.
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| #5 | Olney Central College | Olney, IL | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | ||
Part of the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges system, Olney Central College's ACEN-accredited ADN program focuses on hands-on learning and meeting community healthcare needs. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN and benefit from the program's affordability and strong state approval.
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| #6 | Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | $4,000/yr | ||
Richland Community College in Decatur features a four-semester ADN with a remarkable 95% NCLEX pass rate. The campus-based curriculum emphasizes patient care and education, with ample clinical experience. Its low net price and strong outcomes make it a practical choice for aspiring RNs.
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| #7 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL | $23,000/yr | ||
Bradley University in Peoria provides both a direct-entry BSN and an intensive 15-month accelerated BSN for degree holders. The program is known for early clinical exposure, small faculty mentorship, and nearly perfect first-time NCLEX pass rates. Its location in a rich medical community enhances hands-on learning opportunities.
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| #8 | Sauk Valley Community College | Dixon, IL | $8,000/yr | ||
Sauk Valley Community College's two-year ADN requires a CNA certificate and prerequisite coursework, ensuring students are ready for rigorous nursing education. The program is approved by the Illinois Board of Nursing and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN with a focus on adaptability in diverse healthcare environments.
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| #9 | Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg, IL | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
With a 100% job placement rate, Carl Sandburg College's ACEN-accredited ADN program emphasizes patient-centered care, safety, and critical thinking. The two-year program is affordable, with in-district costs around $21,000, and financial aid options help make it accessible.
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| #10 | Rend Lake College | Ina, IL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Rend Lake College's four-semester ADN requires CNA certification and prerequisite courses, offering a curriculum strong in clinical reasoning and pharmacology. The ACEN-accredited program has shown effective NCLEX-RN pass rates and provides financial aid and scholarships to support students.
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Below is a snapshot of cost and outcome metrics for nursing programs near Aurora, Illinois. All schools listed are community colleges that offer an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), preparing graduates for RN licensure. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
| School | In-State Tuition (Program Total) | Annual Net Price | Graduation Rate | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Valley Community College | $15,239 | $2,232 | 41.8% | $40,810 | $8,233 |
| Lake Land College | $8,342 | $2,254 | 58.3% | $38,877 | $6,188 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | $8,502 | $2,829 | 39.8% | $43,892 | $9,500 |
| Carl Sandburg College | $8,000 | $3,662 | 50.0% | $35,274 | $4,909 |
| Richland Community College | $10,800 | $3,741 | 60.3% | $38,793 | $8,256 |
| Kishwaukee College | $9,120 | $4,574 | 44.8% | $39,657 | $9,395 |
| Danville Area Community College | $7,440 | $4,777 | 44.9% | $34,867 | $7,218 |
| Highland Community College | $7,216 | $5,713 | 44.9% | $37,928 | $8,029 |
| Elgin Community College | $7,140 | $6,026 | 41.1% | $45,516 | $7,390 |
| Kaskaskia College | $7,770 | $6,477 | 48.7% | $38,801 | $3,750 |
Aurora University's BSN graduates achieved a 95% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 20241, well above both the 2025 Illinois average of 85%2 and national average of 87%3. This strong performance highlights the program's effectiveness in preparing students for licensure.
While these figures come from Aurora University's official licensure pass rate disclosures1, multi-year trend data is limited. Prospective students seeking a more complete picture may look for consecutive years of results, as a single-year dip can sometimes reflect a small cohort size or transitional curriculum updates.
NCLEX pass rates signal how well a program aligns its curriculum with the national licensing exam. Consistently high rates suggest strong clinical reasoning instruction, supportive remediation, and thorough content coverage. However, a one-year decline is not necessarily a red flag, it may result from a cohort with a higher proportion of non-native English speakers, or from intentional changes to simulate the Next Generation NCLEX testing format. Look for upward trends over two to three years to gauge program momentum.
For the University of St. Francis and Rasmussen University's Aurora/Naperville campus, publicly accessible multi-year NCLEX data remains limited. Both programs report outcomes to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)2, which maintains the official database of approved nursing education program pass rates. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) publishes aggregate state and national averages3, enabling side-by-side comparison once school-specific numbers are released. Prospective students can check the IDFPR website directly for the latest filings2.
Use pass rates as one component of program evaluation, alongside clinical placement quality, faculty support, and student satisfaction. High, stable rates point to a well-prepared graduate pool, while inconsistent results warrant a conversation with the program's admissions team about improvement strategies and available student success resources.
The net price, what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, varies widely among nursing programs near Aurora. These figures are institution-wide averages, so your individual aid package may differ. Aurora-area students often tap federal Pell Grants, the Illinois MAP Grant (first-come, first-served), and hospital tuition-reimbursement programs at local employers like Rush Copley Medical Center or Advocate Health.
Aurora University requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 for its traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing, while direct-admit freshmen need a 3.0 GPA. Prerequisite coursework must include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and statistics, with a total of 60 semester hours of college-level credits completed within the last 10 years. The program does not require a standardized entrance exam, but other area schools may ask for the TEAS or HESI.
Institution-wide admission rates offer a rough gauge of competitiveness. For example, Chamberlain University-Illinois (Addison) admits roughly 83% of its applicants, while the University of Illinois Chicago is more selective at about 77%. Aurora University's overall admission rate is not publicized at the program level, but nursing admissions are often more competitive than general university numbers suggest. Prospective students should expect a holistic review that weighs academic preparation alongside other factors.
Aurora-area BSN programs rely on strong hospital partnerships for clinical rotations. Key sites include Rush Copley Medical Center, Presence Mercy Medical Center, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, and Edward-Elmhurst Health. These facilities provide hands-on experience in medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and psychiatric nursing, helping students build competence and confidence before licensure.
Aurora University's BSN is a full-time, campus-based program spanning four years. It does not currently offer an accelerated second-degree track or evening/weekend classes. However, working RNs can pursue RN-to-BSN completion programs at several nearby institutions, many delivered online or in hybrid formats to accommodate busy schedules. Chamberlain University’s Addison campus, for instance, offers a three-year BSN with no prerequisites and flexible scheduling, while other schools in the region may provide accelerated or direct-entry MSN pathways. Students seeking an accelerated track should confirm availability with individual programs, as offerings change periodically.
Prospective nursing students in Aurora, Illinois, often have questions about programs, costs, and outcomes. Below are answers to common inquiries based on current data.
Our ranking focuses on practical factors that directly affect your nursing education and career.
All data comes from federal sources such as IPEDS and College Scorecard. For additional nursing school options beyond Aurora, the Illinois nursing schools page includes programs across the state.
