Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and program options for BSN degrees in and around Romeoville.
Romeoville sits 30 miles southwest of Chicago's Loop, putting nursing students a short commute from major teaching hospitals like Loyola University Medical Center and Advocate Christ Medical Center. Programs accessible locally include traditional four-year, accelerated second-degree, and RN-to-BSN tracks at schools such as Lewis University and Rasmussen University, two of the top nursing programs in Illinois. While costs vary sharply (net price after aid ranges from under $15,000 to over $25,000 per year), a program's NCLEX performance and clinical placement partnerships weigh more heavily on a new graduate's earnings trajectory.
The programs below are ranked for Romeoville-area students based on local access, program format, cost, and graduate outcomes. Lewis University is the only BSN program located in Romeoville itself, while several strong public and private options sit within commuting distance in the Chicago suburbs. Use the cards to compare net price, campus or online delivery, and early-career earnings.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | Romeoville residents wanting nearby clinical sites | |
Lewis University in Romeoville is the only BSN program located in the city itself, making it the most local option for area students. This private Catholic university operates a CCNE-accredited BSN with a cohort model, 50 clinical affiliate sites concentrated in Will, DuPage, and Cook counties, and a reported 98% NCLEX pass rate. Net price after aid is about $17,028, and program-level median earnings one year after completion are approximately $76,766. CCNE accredited
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| #2 | Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | ~$32,000/yr (est.) | Career changers needing flexible scheduling | |
Chamberlain University's Addison campus is a private for-profit BSN option within commuting distance of Romeoville. The hybrid program has day, evening, and weekend classes, no prerequisites, and a 122-credit curriculum with Chicago-area clinical placements. Net price is about $31,837, and program-level median earnings one year after completion are roughly $92,405. Military benefits
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| #3 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | ~$18,000/yr (est.) | Illinois residents seeking public university value | |
The University of Illinois Chicago is a public research university with a CCNE-accredited BSN and a Direct Entry MSN for non-nurses. It offers three BSN entry pathways, including an online RN to BSN, and uses clinical partners across major Chicago health systems. In-state undergraduate tuition is about $12,789 before fees, net price is roughly $10,974, and BSN graduates report median earnings near $75,045 one year after completion. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #4 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL | ~$19,000/yr (est.) | ||
Illinois State University in Normal offers a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN, and a fully online RN to BSN through its Mennonite College of Nursing. The public university reports a net price of about $19,398 and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. Program-level median earnings one year after completion are approximately $72,709.
Rolling admissionsFully online option
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| #5 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | ~$23,000/yr (est.) | ||
DePaul University in Chicago offers a CCNE-accredited BSN and a Master's Entry to Nursing Practice for students without a nursing background. The private Catholic university emphasizes small classes, simulation labs, and over 75 clinical sites for the MENP. Net price is about $30,902, and MENP graduates report median earnings near $77,655 one year after completion. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #6 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL | ~$23,000/yr (est.) | ||
Bradley University in Peoria provides a traditional BSN and an accelerated 15-month BSN, both CCNE-accredited, with clinical experiences in two major hospital systems. This private university reports a net price of around $22,719 and program-level median earnings of about $73,143 one year after 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 is a small private college focused exclusively on nursing, with a BSN and RN to BSN track. It reports a 98% NCLEX pass rate and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Program-level median earnings one year after completion are approximately $77,709.
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| #8 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | $2,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Lake Land College in Mattoon is a public community college offering a three-year Associate Degree in Nursing. The ACEN-accredited program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and has articulation agreements for online RN to BSN completion. Net price is about $2,254, and program-level median earnings one year after completion are roughly $63,651. The Mattoon location is outside the Chicago suburbs, so Romeoville-area students typically need to relocate. ACEN 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 over 50 years of history. This public two-year college in Elgin has partnerships with universities for RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN completion. Net price is about $6,026, and program-level median earnings one year after completion are near $71,721. ACEN accredited
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| #10 | William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
William Rainey Harper College in Palatine offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science in Nursing with a 93% NCLEX pass rate and 91% job placement rate. This public community college has a 68-credit curriculum and a simulated clinical lab. Net price is about $11,607, and program-level median earnings one year after completion are approximately $70,929.
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Nursing tuition across the Romeoville area varies widely, but the sticker price tells only part of the story. Financial aid significantly reduces the actual out‑of‑pocket cost at each school. Below compares in‑state sticker tuition and the average net price after grants and scholarships for six regional programs. (Tuition data for Rasmussen University Romeoville is not currently available in this dataset.) Note that net price figures are institution‑wide averages; actual nursing program costs may differ.
Two popular pathways near Romeoville, the traditional BSN at Lewis University and the career-focused program at Rasmussen University, attract different types of students. But one metric cuts across learning styles and class formats: first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates. These numbers offer an objective, no-spin look at how well a school prepares you for the licensure exam.
State and national benchmarks provide a useful yardstick. In 2025, the national first-time pass rate for RN candidates was 87% (192,911 test-takers), while Illinois as a whole posted an 85% pass rate across 6,351 test-takers. Numbers below these thresholds can signal gaps in curriculum, faculty support, or clinical preparation.
A program with passing rates that consistently beat state and national averages suggests strong alignment between coursework and the exam. More importantly, it gives you confidence that the time and money you invest will lead to a license. A school that struggles with pass rates may be teaching outdated material or providing insufficient test-prep resources.
Single-year pass rates can fluctuate, so it pays to look at trends. A program with a steep decline over two or three years may be facing accreditation issues or faculty turnover. Steady or improving rates, on the other hand, signal a stable, well-managed program. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation publishes an annual RN program pass-rate report that allows you to compare schools over several years.
Both Lewis University and Rasmussen University disclose their pass rates in that public report. While we do not reproduce individual year-by-year figures here, you can view the latest data by downloading the state's 2025 RN Program Pass-Rate Report. Pay special attention to the number of test-takers: a small cohort can produce a misleadingly high (or low) percentage, so aim for programs that maintain strong pass rates with a meaningful sample size. If you are weighing both schools, request their multi-year pass rates directly or review the state report to see if either program has shown consistent improvement or a concerning dip.
How long will it take to earn your BSN in Romeoville?
The answer depends on your starting point and the program you choose. Most students follow one of three distinct timelines.
A traditional pre-licensure BSN at Lewis University takes 48 months (four years) and requires 120 to 128 semester credits. You will complete general education requirements alongside nursing courses, with clinical experiences starting early. This path suits first-time college students or anyone entering nursing without a prior degree.
Lewis University does offer an accelerated BSN option, but it is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. The BAC to BSN program lasts 24 months and covers 60 to 70 nursing credits. Before enrolling, you must have completed science prerequisites such as anatomy and physiology. It follows a full-time, intensive format for career changers. While longer than some 12-month programs, it still compresses the nursing curriculum significantly.
Registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma can complete their BSN through Lewis University's online RN-to-BSN program in as few as 12 months. The curriculum includes 30 to 35 upper-division credits and is delivered online or in a blended format, accommodating working nurses. Many students continue working while enrolled.
Additional bridge pathways, such as LPN-to-BSN and ADN-to-BSN, may be available at other Romeoville-area schools. These pathways generally build on existing nursing credentials and can shorten the overall timeline. Because program offerings change, contact admissions offices directly to confirm current options and timelines. Choosing the right path means weighing your current qualifications against how quickly you want to enter the workforce. Each pathway's credit load and schedule intensity vary, so align your choice with your prior education and career goals.
A shorter commute to clinical rotations frees up study time, but a formal hospital partnership can fast-track your job offer after graduation.
Romeoville-area nursing students, including those at Lewis University and Rasmussen University, complete clinical rotations at several major healthcare systems throughout the southwest Chicago suburbs. Common rotation sites include Advocate Aurora facilities, AMITA/Ascension hospitals, Edward-Elmhurst locations, and Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. Lewis University lists its clinical sites online, though the list is not grouped by system and is updated periodically, so students should consult their advisor for current placements. Rasmussen University also coordinates placements with regional partners, ensuring students gain exposure to diverse patient populations and care settings.
Lewis University holds a formal clinical partnership with Silver Cross Hospital. This agreement goes beyond basic rotations: students who commit to a four-year career at Silver Cross and participate in the Student Nurse Assistant program may receive tuition benefits and structured educational collaboration. To qualify, you must pass the NCLEX-RN and meet other program requirements. Such partnerships not only provide guaranteed clinical slots but also build a direct hiring pipeline, making them especially valuable for students who want a clear employment path right after graduation.
Nursing salaries can vary widely by location and experience. While specific wage data for new graduates in the Romeoville area is limited, available figures for the broader Chicago metropolitan region and nationwide provide a useful benchmark.
Here are answers to common questions about pursuing a nursing degree in the Romeoville area. Whether you're comparing costs, checking NCLEX outcomes, or exploring online options, this FAQ covers key details.
Selecting a nursing program in Romeoville comes down to a few essentials: actual cost after financial aid, first-time NCLEX pass rates, and how well the format fits your life. Lewis University’s traditional BSN and Rasmussen University’s accelerated option serve different timelines and learning styles, so compare their recent exam performance and clinical placements carefully. Strong local hospital ties, such as rotations at Edward Hospital or AMITA Health sites, can smooth the transition from student to employed nurse.
To make a confident decision, reach out to your top one or two programs for current tuition details and admission guidance. A little research now pays off throughout your nursing career.
