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.
This ranking highlights the best nursing schools within a 75-mile radius of Rockford, IL. We evaluated each program on affordability, student outcomes, and program flexibility to help you find the right fit for your nursing career.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | Urban learners seeking flexible hybrid nursing | |
The University of Illinois Chicago offers a hybrid Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing for non-RNs. UIC’s nursing programs are consistently ranked among the best in the nation, with an institution-wide graduation rate of 62% and a strong median earnings outcome of $68,740 ten years after enrollment. The public university provides competitive tuition, with a net price of $10,974 for in-state students, and multiple pathways to accommodate traditional students, transfer students, and career changers.
| |||||
| #2 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | $2,000/yr (net price) | Budget-conscious beginners in central Illinois | |
Lake Land College in Mattoon provides an affordable Associate Degree in Nursing program with a net price of just $2,254, making it one of the most budget-friendly options in Illinois. The college reports an institution-wide graduation rate of 58% and has prepared students for RN licensure for over 30 years. Graduates can easily transition to BSN completion through partnerships with four-year universities.
| |||||
| #3 | Olney Central College | Olney, IL | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | Hands-on learners in a rural setting | |
Olney Central College offers a hands-on Associate Degree in Nursing program in Olney, Illinois, with ACEN accreditation and strong NCLEX preparation. The institution’s graduation rate is 63%, and students benefit from a supportive learning environment with a student-faculty ratio of 15:1. Net price averages $10,092, and the program emphasizes meeting local healthcare needs.
| |||||
| #4 | Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | $32,000/yr | ||
Chamberlain University-Illinois in Addison delivers a fast-paced BSN program that can be completed in as few as three years with no prerequisites required to start nursing classes. Although the net price is higher at $31,837, the school reports a strong median earnings of $92,405 ten years after enrollment. The CCNE-accredited program features high-tech simulation labs and flexible scheduling options.
| |||||
| #5 | Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | $4,000/yr | ||
Richland Community College in Decatur offers a comprehensive ADN program spanning four semesters and 63 credit hours, with a reported NCLEX pass rate of 95%. The net price is a low $3,741, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 60%. Students gain hands-on experience in patient care and are well-prepared for the NCLEX exam.
| |||||
| #6 | Sauk Valley Community College | Dixon, IL | $8,000/yr | ||
Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon offers a two-year ADN program that requires a CNA certificate for admission and emphasizes adaptability in healthcare. With a net price of $8,493 and an institution-wide graduation rate of 49%, the program includes both classroom and clinical components for comprehensive preparation.
| |||||
| #7 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | $17,000/yr | ||
Lewis University in Romeoville offers a BSN program ranked among the top ten in Illinois, with a 98% NCLEX pass rate and a holistic approach to patient care. The institution reports a 67% graduation rate and a net price of $17,028. Students complete diverse clinical experiences at over 50 affiliated agencies.
| |||||
| #8 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL | $23,000/yr | ||
Bradley University in Peoria provides a direct-entry BSN and an accelerated 15-month BSN for career changers. The institution boasts a 76% graduation rate and a net price of $22,719. Early clinical experiences and faculty mentorship contribute to strong NCLEX outcomes.
| |||||
| #9 | Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg, IL | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg offers an ACEN-accredited ADN program with a reported 100% job placement rate. The net price is $3,662, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 50%. The two-year program requires an advisor meeting and emphasizes patient-centered care.
| |||||
| #10 | Rend Lake College | Ina, IL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Rend Lake College in Ina provides an ADN program that admits students with CNA certification and includes four semesters of study. The net price is $9,187, and recent NCLEX pass rates average 75%. The curriculum focuses on nursing judgment and clinical reasoning.
| |||||
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.
Rockford students have access to a wide range of accredited nursing programs beyond the top 10. The schools below span community colleges and universities across Illinois, offering both ADN and BSN pathways. Net prices are based on the latest federal data for full-time beginning students.
