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 mix of private and public nursing programs, including a local Rockford college and University of Illinois Chicago programs with a Rockford location. Students can compare BSN, ADN, RN-to-BSN, and direct-entry MSN pathways across several Illinois cities within commuting distance. The list below starts with options closest to Rockford and then includes strong nearby alternatives.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Anthony College of Nursing | Rockford, IL | $25,000 – $30,000/yr (est.) | Rockford-area students wanting small nursing cohorts | |
Saint Anthony College of Nursing is the most directly local option for Rockford students, with a Rockford campus and a BSN that also lists an RN-to-BSN track and a High School Early Entry option. The college reports a 98% NCLEX pass rate for 2023 and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students attend class at two Rockford locations that include classroom and simulation lab space.
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| #2 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | ~$18,000/yr (est.) | Career changers seeking direct-entry MSN pathway | |
University of Illinois Chicago offers several nursing pathways, including a BSN with freshman, transfer, and RN-to-BSN routes and a Direct Entry MSN for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. The Direct Entry MSN can be completed at the Rockford location, making UIC a practical option for Rockford-area students. CCNE-accredited programs feature simulation labs, experienced faculty, and clinical partnerships across the Chicago area. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #3 | Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | ~$32,000/yr (est.) | Working adults needing evening and weekend classes | |
Chamberlain University's Addison campus offers a BSN with day, evening, and weekend scheduling and no prerequisite coursework. The 122-credit program combines simulation training with clinical placements in Chicago-area healthcare settings and includes five specialty concentration options. Students can access financial aid, scholarships, and a large alumni network. Military benefits
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| #4 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | $2,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Lake Land College offers an ACEN-accredited associate degree nursing program that prepares students for RN licensure through classroom, lab, and clinical work. The three-year program includes clinical rotations in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care. Dual enrollment agreements and employer tuition assistance may help students continue into a BSN while working. ACEN accredited
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| #5 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | ||
Lewis University offers a CCNE-accredited BSN with a cohort-based structure and clinical rotations at roughly 50 affiliate sites. The program reports a 98% NCLEX pass rate and emphasizes holistic patient care across critical care, emergency, pediatric, and medical-surgical settings. Admission requires SAT, ACT, or TEAS scores. CCNE accredited
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| #6 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL | ~$19,000/yr (est.) | ||
Illinois State University's Mennonite College of Nursing provides traditional, RN-to-BSN, and accelerated BSN pathways. The traditional and accelerated options use simulation labs with high-fidelity manikins and virtual reality, plus leadership and peer mentorship components. The RN-to-BSN track can be completed in one year and the accelerated BSN is a 15-month second-degree option.
Rolling admissionsFully online option
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| #7 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL | ~$23,000/yr (est.) | ||
Bradley University offers both a traditional BSN and a 15-month accelerated BSN for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. The program emphasizes person-centered care, population health, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional collaboration. Clinical rotations occur at two major hospital systems and other Peoria-area facilities, with personalized faculty mentorship. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #8 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | ~$23,000/yr (est.) | ||
DePaul University offers a BSN and a Master's Entry to Nursing Practice for students without a nursing background. The BSN reports a 97% NCLEX pass rate and includes simulation labs with high-fidelity mannequins and small faculty-led classes. The MENP offers accelerated and balanced stride options with clinical placements across more than 75 sites. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #9 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
Elgin Community College offers an ACEN-accredited Associate of Applied Science in Nursing with more than 50 years of nursing education history. The program includes patient care, pharmacology, and clinical skills training, and it partners with universities for RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN completion. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. ACEN accredited
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| #10 | William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
William Rainey Harper College offers an ACEN-accredited Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing that can be completed in a two-year sequence. The limited-enrollment program reports a 93% pass rate and 91% job placement rate, with a simulated clinical environment and prerequisite coursework. Students who complete the program are eligible for NCLEX-RN and Illinois RN licensure.
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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.
