Compare NCLEX pass rates, tuition, and outcomes for accredited BSN programs within commuting distance of Mokena.
Illinois healthcare employers increasingly prefer BSN-prepared nurses, giving Mokena residents a geographic advantage. More than a dozen accredited BSN and ADN programs sit within a 45-minute drive, from community college ADN tracks to university BSN programs.
Prospective students weighing cost, NCLEX performance, and clinical site locations will find that some south suburban programs deliver strong outcomes relative to their net price. Public university tuition can start under $15,000, while private BSN programs may exceed $30,000, though aid packages often narrow the difference.
Because clinical hour requirements and program accreditation directly affect licensure eligibility, verifying CCNE or ACEN status is a necessary filter before applying.
Our ranking spotlights accredited nursing programs within commuting distance of Mokena, IL. While several schools offer traditional BSN and ADN options, we have also highlighted direct-entry MSN pathways for career changers. Each listing includes key details on tuition, outcomes, and drive times to help you compare.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | $16,000/yr | Suburban BSN with high NCLEX pass rate | |
Lewis University's CCNE-accredited BSN program combines a 98% NCLEX pass rate with a cohort-based learning community. Located in Romeoville, just 25 to 30 minutes from Mokena, it offers clinical rotations at 50 affiliate sites across the southwest suburbs. Transfer students need a 3.0 GPA and prerequisite science courses.
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| #2 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | ~$18,000/yr (est.) | Chicago public university with transfer pathways | |
University of Illinois Chicago's College of Nursing offers a highly ranked BSN with three flexible entry points: freshman, transfer, and online RN to BSN. The Chicago main campus and regional sites provide strong clinical partnerships with major Illinois health systems. The program also features a Direct Entry MSN for non-RN career changers.
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| #3 | Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL | Local ADN with simulation and BSN transfer | ||
Moraine Valley Community College provides an ACEN-accredited ADN program with cutting-edge simulation labs and virtual reality training. Located in Palos Hills, it's a short commute from Mokena. Graduates boast a 90% job placement rate, and a dual enrollment partnership with University of St. Francis creates a seamless BSN pathway.
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| #4 | Elmhurst University | Elmhurst, IL | $34,000/yr | ||
Elmhurst University’s BSN prelicensure option combines two years of liberal arts with a nursing core of 16 courses and clinical practice. Also offering a 20-month online Direct Entry MSN with in-person clinicals, Elmhurst is about 35 to 45 minutes from Mokena. The university emphasizes a strong science foundation and offers minors like Medical Humanities.
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| #5 | Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | $15,000/yr | ||
Chamberlain University's Addison campus offers a hybrid BSN with day, evening, and weekend classes, no prerequisites required. With a 91% NCLEX pass rate, the program features a SimCare Center and five specialty concentrations. The Tinley Park campus is even closer to Mokena, though the Addison location is within a commutable drive.
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| #6 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | ~$23,000/yr (est.) | ||
DePaul University’s BSN program achieves a 97% NCLEX pass rate through small classes, high-fidelity simulation, and robust clinical experiences in Chicago. Additionally, the Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP) offers accelerated and balanced stride options for career changers. DePaul's Lincoln Park campus is accessible from Mokena, typically within an hour's drive.
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| #7 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | $22,000/yr | ||
Loyola University Chicago’s four-year BSN is nationally ranked No. 13 by U.S. News and features guaranteed direct entry, seven clinical rotations, and a 96.36% NCLEX pass rate. The Lake Shore Campus emphasizes holistic care and social justice, with rolling admissions and no prerequisite courses required.
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| #8 | Illinois Valley Community College | Oglesby, IL | |||
Illinois Valley Community College, in Oglesby, offers an ACEN-accredited ADN with a 95% NCLEX pass rate and 100% job placement. Though over 90 miles from Mokena, its affordable tuition and LPN ladder option after year one appeal to downstate students. Graduates may transfer to BSN programs.
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| #9 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | |||
Elgin Community College’s ACEN-accredited ADN program has over 50 years of nursing education tradition. Located in Elgin, about 50 miles from Mokena, graduates achieve a solid NCLEX pass rate and benefit from partnerships for RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN completion. The program also can lead to LPN licensure after the first year.
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| #10 | Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | |||
Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois, offers an ACEN-accredited ADN with a 90% NCLEX pass rate and 95% job placement. Its curriculum follows QSEN competencies, supported by high-fidelity simulation and clinicals at regional facilities. A partnership with Northern Illinois University provides a direct RN-to-BSN transfer path.
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Ranking schools by cost alone misses long-term value; ranking by earnings alone ignores debt burden. Our methodology balances both, combining multiple data points to surface programs that offer strong outcomes at a reasonable cost.
These factors are weighted to favor affordability and earnings performance. NCLEX pass rates are not part of the algorithmic ranking; we cover those results separately in the following section for readers who want to compare licensure exam outcomes directly.
All data comes from public federal sources: College Scorecard for program-level earnings and completion information, and IPEDS for tuition and institutional metrics. Every school listed holds regional accreditation and is within reasonable commuting distance of Mokena, Illinois.
The table below compares in-state and out-of-state tuition alongside the average net price after financial aid for nursing programs near Mokena. Net price reflects institution-wide averages and may differ for specific BSN tracks, which are not listed here as these associate degree programs are the primary nursing offerings in the area. The spread from the lowest net price ($2,232) to the highest ($6,477) highlights significant cost variation.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Valley Community College | $15,239 | $16,385 | $2,232 |
| Lake Land College | $8,342 | $14,301 | $2,254 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | $8,502 | $9,846 | $2,829 |
| Carl Sandburg College | $8,000 | $8,900 | $3,662 |
| Richland Community College | $10,800 | $17,070 | $3,741 |
| Kishwaukee College | $9,120 | $13,680 | $4,574 |
| Danville Area Community College | $7,440 | $7,440 | $4,777 |
| Highland Community College | $7,216 | $7,360 | $5,713 |
| Elgin Community College | $7,140 | $9,516 | $6,026 |
| Kaskaskia College | $7,770 | $12,570 | $6,477 |
What are the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for BSN programs near Mokena, and how do they compare to state or national averages?
For nursing students, NCLEX performance is a critical indicator of a program's effectiveness. In Illinois, the official source for program-specific pass rates is the Illinois State Board of Nursing (ISBON), which publishes annual reports online through the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. These reports break down pass rates by school and degree level, letting you verify outcomes for nearby institutions like Lewis University, University of St. Francis, or Olivet Nazarene University. Many schools also post recent pass rates on their own websites, typically under accreditation or student outcomes sections.
As context, the 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Illinois BSN graduates was 85 percent, and nationally the average stood at 87 percent.1 These figures offer a baseline: programs near Mokena that consistently match or exceed the state average demonstrate solid preparation for licensure. Keep in mind that rates can fluctuate year to year, so reviewing multi-year trends provides a more reliable picture than a single annual snapshot.
Because NCLEX success is one piece of a program's quality picture, pair pass rates with other factors like clinical placements, faculty support, and graduate satisfaction.
Admission to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program involves more than meeting a minimum GPA. Each nursing school sets its own prerequisites, entrance exam policies, and cohort tracks, which can differ significantly between traditional, accelerated, and second-degree pathways. For students near Mokena, understanding these requirements early helps avoid last-minute surprises and can influence whether you apply to a traditional four-year BSN, an accelerated program for career changers, or an evening/weekend schedule designed for working adults.
The facts below reflect publicly available information for two colleges within reach of Mokena. Always verify with the school's nursing department before applying.
For other area programs such as the University of St. Francis, Governors State University, Trinity Christian College, and Saint Xavier University, requirements vary. Some may require the TEAS or HESI exam, minimum GPAs ranging from 2.5 to 3.0, and specific science prerequisites. Official nursing department websites are updated annually and should be your primary resource.
Program requirements can change from year to year. To ensure you're working with current information:
Staying proactive with deadlines and exact prerequisites will strengthen your application to a BSN program near Mokena.
Program-level earnings shortly after graduation are not yet reported for these BSN programs. However, federal College Scorecard data shows that graduates of top schools near Mokena command strong salaries a decade out. For example, Chamberlain University-Illinois BSN alumni earn a median of $92,405 ten years after enrollment, with manageable student debt loads.
Choosing a nursing program involves verifying accreditation, NCLEX performance, and degree options. Below, we answer common questions about nursing schools near Mokena, from board pass rates to salary expectations.
