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.
When exploring nursing programs near Mokena, Illinois, aspiring nurses can choose from a variety of BSN, ADN, and accelerated pathways, each with distinct strengths in cost, convenience, and clinical training. Our ranking starts with schools accessible from the Mokena area, then extends across Illinois to highlight top-performing programs that may suit students open to relocation or online learning. All data reflects 2026 institutional statistics from federal sources.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | In-state students prioritizing affordability | |
The University of Illinois Chicago offers a highly ranked BSN program with hybrid learning and multiple pathways. As a public university, it provides an affordable net price around $10,974 after aid. Although located in Chicago, the drive from Mokena is about 35-45 minutes, making it commutable for determined students. UIC also offers a Direct Entry MSN for non-nurses holding a bachelor's degree.
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| #2 | Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | $32,000/yr | Working students needing flexible classes | |
Chamberlain University's Illinois campuses include a convenient Tinley Park location just minutes from Mokena, offering a three-year BSN with no prerequisites and flexible scheduling. The program is CCNE-accredited with hands-on simulation labs and once-weekly clinicals. The Addison campus is also an option; Tinley Park provides the closest access. The estimated net price after aid averages $31,837.
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| #3 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | $17,000/yr | Faith-based nursing in the southwest suburbs | |
Lewis University in nearby Romeoville is one of the closest BSN programs to Mokena, just a 25-30 minute drive. This private Catholic university boasts a 98% NCLEX pass rate and access to over 50 clinical sites. The program emphasizes holistic, ethical patient care. The estimated net price is $17,028 per year.
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| #4 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | $2,000/yr (net price) | ||
Lake Land College in Mattoon (over 150 miles south of Mokena) offers an affordable ADN program with a strong track record. While not a daily commute option, its low net price of $2,254 and articulation agreements for BSN completion make it worth considering for those willing to relocate or complete prerequisites online. The program boasts over 30 years of nursing education excellence.
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| #5 | Olney Central College | Olney, IL | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | ||
Olney Central College, part of the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges system, offers an ACEN-accredited ADN program in Olney, IL. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and community healthcare needs. Located over 200 miles from Mokena, it is best suited for students planning to relocate to southeastern Illinois.
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| #6 | Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | $4,000/yr | ||
Richland Community College in Decatur provides a four-semester ADN program known for its high NCLEX pass rates and emphasis on direct patient care. With a net price of $3,741, it is an affordable option, though the campus is not within daily commuting distance from Mokena.
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| #7 | Sauk Valley Community College | Dixon, IL | $8,000/yr | ||
Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon offers a two-year ADN with classroom and clinical components. Admission requires a CNA certificate and TEAS testing. The campus is approximately 100 miles west of Mokena, making it impractical for daily commuting but a consideration for relocation.
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| #8 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL | $23,000/yr | ||
Bradley University in Peoria provides both a direct-entry BSN and an accelerated 15-month BSN for career changers. The private institution reports a 76% institutional graduation rate and strong NCLEX outcomes. However, the campus is about 150 miles from Mokena, so students would need to relocate or arrange housing.
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| #9 | Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg, IL | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg is a community college with a two-year ADN program that boasts a 100% job placement rate. The ACEN-accredited program is campus-based and located far from Mokena, but its low net price of $3,662 may appeal to students able to relocate.
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| #10 | Rend Lake College | Ina, IL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Rend Lake College in Ina offers an ADN with a ladder option for LPNs. The program covers four semesters and emphasizes critical thinking and clinical reasoning. Its southern Illinois location is not commutable from Mokena, but the net price of $9,187 and recent NCLEX pass rate of 75% are notable.
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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.
Beyond the ranked programs above, many other accredited nursing schools near Mokena offer BSN, ADN, and direct-entry MSN pathways. This directory includes additional options organized by region. Use the links to explore program details and request information.
