Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for every accredited nursing program near Rockford.
Two-year associate or four-year bachelor? The degree you choose can determine how quickly you start earning and at what salary you begin. In Rockford, major health systems like Mercyhealth and OSF Saint Anthony hire nurses at both levels, but BSN-prepared RNs increasingly fill acute-care roles.
Prospective nurses can choose among traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN bridge, and accelerated second-degree tracks at schools within a 75-mile radius. All lead to the NCLEX-RN exam, the gateway to Illinois licensure, but total program costs and time-to-license differ substantially. With Rockford-area RNs earning a mean $96,858, the financial calculus rewards careful program selection.
The Rockford area offers a diverse array of nursing programs, from associate degrees to bachelor's and RN-to-BSN completion tracks. Below, we highlight the top-ranked schools within a 35-mile radius of Rockford, based on factors like accreditation, NCLEX performance, and student outcomes. Whether you're starting your nursing career or advancing it, these programs provide solid pathways to licensure and employment.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | Nursing students seeking Rockford hospital placements | ||
Rock Valley College's ASN program is a strong choice for Rockford-area students, with ACEN accreditation and NCLEX pass rates consistently above national averages. Clinical rotations take place at local healthcare facilities, and the college maintains partnerships with five RN-to-BSN programs for seamless transfer. The program emphasizes critical thinking and ethical care, with a 90% job placement rate.
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| #2 | Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | Students prioritizing licensure pass success | ||
Kishwaukee College offers an ACEN-accredited ADN program that consistently produces graduates who exceed state and national NCLEX pass rates. With small class sizes and a 95% job placement rate within six months, students receive personalized support. An RN-to-BSN partnership with Northern Illinois University allows for easy bachelor's degree completion.
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| #3 | Highland Community College | Freeport, IL | Learners needing flexible study options | ||
Highland Community College's ASN program is ACEN-accredited and offers both full-time and part-time study paths to accommodate diverse student needs. The curriculum prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and provides a solid foundation for transferring to a four-year BSN program. Financial aid and scholarships are available to support students throughout their education.
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| #4 | McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | |||
McHenry County College's ADN program boasts a 100% NCLEX pass rate in recent years and is recognized as a top-performing nursing school in Illinois. The 65-credit curriculum combines classroom instruction with clinical experiences, preparing graduates for diverse healthcare settings. With in-district tuition under $16,000, it offers an affordable path to RN licensure.
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| #5 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Northern Illinois University provides both a traditional on-campus BSN and an online RN-to-BSN completion program. The BSN curriculum includes hands-on simulation labs and clinical partnerships with regional health organizations. NIU offers test-free admission and renewable merit scholarships, making it accessible for a range of students.
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| #6 | Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville, WI | |||
Blackhawk Technical College offers a hybrid ADN program with flexible learning formats, including online and in-person options. The program is designed for both full-time and part-time students and features an LPN progression pathway. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and can expect competitive wages in the healthcare field.
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| #7 | Rockford University | Rockford, IL | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | ||
Rockford University's BSN program is a full-time, four-year degree with a focus on community-based care and small cohort sizes of 40 students. The curriculum includes diverse nursing specialties and clinical experiences in various healthcare settings. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN and are prepared for careers in hospitals, clinics, and beyond.
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| #8 | Rasmussen University-Illinois | Rockford, IL | |||
Rasmussen University offers an ADN program with a hybrid format and no prerequisite coursework, allowing students to start quickly with eight start dates per year. An LPN-to-RN bridge is available, and pathways to BSN, MSN, and DNP provide opportunities for advancement. The BSN program is also available online.
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Today’s nursing school rankings emphasize real-world outcomes over inputs; graduation rates and post-enrollment earnings now matter as much as tuition costs. Our methodology sorts through nursing programs near Rockford by weighing four key data points: net price after financial aid, institution-wide graduation rate, median earnings after completion, and accreditation status.
Net price is the actual amount students pay after subtracting grants and scholarships, offering a clearer picture of affordability than sticker price. Graduation rates reflect the share of all students who complete their degrees on time, a broad indicator of institutional support. Median earnings figures come from federal data on employed former students, regardless of major, helping gauge how well a school prepares graduates for the workforce.
Because nursing program-specific data is not always available, these institution-wide metrics provide a meaningful, if imperfect, snapshot of the environment a nursing student enters. A school with high overall graduation rates and strong earnings outcomes tends to have solid advising, career services, and academic support, resources that benefit every student, including nurses.
We included all accredited, degree-granting institutions within a 75-mile radius of Rockford, whether public or private. This radius ensures that commutable options are considered, even if they fall outside city limits. Accreditation by a recognized agency remains non-negotiable, as it validates that programs meet established quality standards.
NCLEX pass rates are the single most reliable public signal of a nursing program's quality, and Rockford-area schools deliver results that range from exceptional to unclear.
Among local programs, Saint Anthony College of Nursing stands out with a 98% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for its 2023 graduates1, far exceeding the 2025 Illinois average of 85% and the national average of 87%. For other Rockford institutions such as Rockford University and Rock Valley College, recent NCLEX pass rates are not currently published by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Prospective students should contact those programs directly for the most accurate and up-to-date outcomes.
A high first-time pass rate typically reflects strong curriculum design, rigorous clinical preparation, and effective student support. It also protects your investment: graduates who pass the NCLEX on the first attempt can enter the workforce faster and often have more leverage when negotiating job offers. While pass rates shouldn't be the sole criterion, they remain a critical checkpoint when comparing programs.
Becoming a registered nurse in Rockford follows Illinois state requirements overseen by the IDFPR. The path involves completing an accredited nursing program, passing the NCLEX, and submitting a licensure application. ADN graduates can later pursue an RN-to-BSN bridge to expand career options.
Registered nurses in the Rockford metropolitan area earn a mean annual wage of $96,8581, with typical earnings falling between roughly $63,700 and $113,1002. This local figure surpasses the Illinois statewide mean of $87,6503 and the national median annual wage of $93,600 reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024)4.
Rockford’s healthcare sector is expanding, driven by an aging population and continued investment at anchor institutions like OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center and SwedishAmerican Hospital. A persistent statewide nursing shortage further bolsters demand, keeping salaries competitive and job openings plentiful.
When you compare these wage levels to the net price of nursing programs in Illinois, ranging from approximately $11,000 per year at public universities like University of Illinois Chicago (in-state) to about $31,800 at private schools such as Chamberlain University, the long-term value becomes clear. For instance, Chamberlain’s nursing graduates report median earnings of $92,405 ten years after enrolling, resulting in a return-on-investment ratio of 4.4. These figures underscore that a nursing degree in the Rockford area not only leads to a solid starting salary but can pay for itself many times over.
Paying for nursing school in Rockford becomes far more manageable when you know where to look for financial aid. Several Illinois-specific and federal programs can dramatically lower your out-of-pocket cost, and many Rockford-area employers sweeten the deal with tuition assistance.
The Illinois MAP Grant provides up to $8,400 per year (2024-2025) to Illinois residents attending in-state undergraduate programs, including nursing degrees. Eligibility is based on financial need, with a maximum Student Aid Index (SAI) of 9,000, but the grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so filing the FAFSA as early as possible is essential. The Illinois Nurses Foundation also awards scholarships specifically for nursing students, and the state’s Nursing School Grant Program funds institutions to expand program capacity and support equity. While this money goes to schools, it can translate into better resources and more seats for students.
On the federal side, the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program and HRSA loans and loan repayment opportunities are available to nursing students who commit to working in underserved areas after graduation. These programs can cover tuition, fees, and a living stipend in exchange for service.
Major Rockford health systems, including Mercyhealth, OSF HealthCare, and SwedishAmerican, often offer tuition reimbursement or loan forgiveness for employees pursuing nursing credentials. If you’re working or planning to work while in school, check with your HR department about these benefits; they can significantly lower your net cost.
When evaluating programs, focus on actual net price after aid rather than published tuition. Among the nursing schools listed in our Rockford-area rankings, the average net price after grants and scholarships ranges from around $2,200 to $10,000 per year, a fraction of the sticker cost at many institutions. Use each school’s net price calculator or financial aid office to get a personalized estimate.
Prospective nursing students in Rockford, Illinois often have common questions about programs, costs, and career paths. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision about your nursing education.
