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.
Nursing options near Aurora span public and private BSN programs, accelerated pathways, online RN-to-BSN completion, and lower-cost associate degree routes. The list below prioritizes schools with strong first-year retention, small student-to-faculty ratios, and practical clinical access for Aurora-area students. Use the program cards to compare net price, graduation rates, delivery formats, and highlights.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | ~$32,000/yr (est.) | Working students needing evening flexibility | |
Chamberlain's Addison campus combines a BSN with hybrid instruction, day, evening, and weekend scheduling, and no prerequisite courses. Students complete 122 credit hours with hands-on simulation in the SimCare Center and clinical placements around the Chicago area. The program emphasizes specialty electives, a large alumni network, and scholarship pathways such as the High School to Healthcare Program. Military benefits
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| #2 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | Aurora-area learners wanting cohort support | |
Lewis University in Romeoville runs a CCNE-accredited BSN with a cohort model and clinical rotations at 50 affiliate sites. The program reports a 98% licensure pass rate and requires SAT, ACT, or TEAS scores, with a 3.0 GPA minimum for transfer students. Its southwest suburban location makes it an accessible Aurora-area option for campus-based learners. CCNE accredited
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| #3 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | ~$18,000/yr (est.) | Online RN to BSN completers | |
The University of Illinois Chicago offers multiple routes into nursing, including an entry BSN, an online RN to BSN, and a direct-entry MSN for non-nurses. Its academic health center setting supports broad clinical partnerships and simulation resources across the Chicago metro. Students can choose from three BSN entry pathways and a hybrid graduate-entry option. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #4 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
Elgin Community College offers a campus-based associate degree in nursing with more than 50 years of history. The ACEN-accredited program prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN and maintains transfer partnerships for RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN completion. Located west of Aurora, it is a practical local option for students starting an ADN path. ACEN accredited
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| #5 | William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
William Rainey Harper College in Palatine provides a two-year AAS in nursing with 68 credit hours and a simulated clinical lab. The program reports a 93% licensure pass rate and a 91% job placement rate for recent cohorts. Limited enrollment and a higher tuition rate for nursing-prefixed courses are part of the admission picture.
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| #6 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | ~$23,000/yr (est.) | ||
DePaul University in Chicago pairs a campus BSN with a master's entry to nursing practice for students without a nursing background. The BSN reports a 97% licensure pass rate and uses small classes and simulation labs with high-fidelity mannequins. The MENP adds over 75 clinical sites and options for two- or three-year completion. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #7 | Saint Anthony College of Nursing | Rockford, IL | $25,000 – $30,000/yr (est.) | ||
Saint Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford focuses on a prelicensure BSN alongside an RN to BSN track and a high school early entry option. The college reports a 98% licensure pass rate and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with simulation lab space at two locations. It is a smaller, Rockford-based campus for students who want direct entry and personalized attention.
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| #8 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL | ~$23,000/yr (est.) | ||
Bradley University in Peoria offers a traditional BSN and an accelerated 15-month BSN for students with a prior degree. The nursing program uses clinical rotations at two major hospital systems and a Level 1 trauma center, with urban and rural healthcare placements. Students gain early hands-on experience and faculty mentorship. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #9 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | $2,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Lake Land College in Mattoon offers an ACEN-accredited associate degree in nursing over three years. The program emphasizes affordable tuition, clinical rotations, and dual-enrollment agreements that let graduates pursue an online BSN while working. It is a lower-cost ADN option for Illinois students willing to relocate within the state. ACEN accredited
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| #10 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL | ~$19,000/yr (est.) | ||
Illinois State University in Normal offers a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN, and an online RN to BSN. The traditional pathway is fall-entry and uses simulation labs with high-fidelity manikins and virtual reality, while the RN to BSN can be completed online in as little as one year. The Mennonite College of Nursing has educated nurses for more than 100 years.
Rolling admissionsFully online option
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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.
