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 following ranking highlights nursing programs accessible to Romeoville residents, considering factors like local clinical placements, tuition structure, and program format. Schools were evaluated based on a blend of institutional data and independent research.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | $17,000/yr | Will County locals needing nearby clinicals | |
Lewis University, located right in Romeoville, offers a campus-based BSN program with a 98% NCLEX pass rate. The curriculum emphasizes holistic, ethical patient care with over 50 clinical sites concentrated in Will, DuPage, and Cook counties, making clinical placements highly accessible for local students. As a private Catholic institution, it charges a uniform tuition and provides extensive commuter support, anchoring its mission in community health projects in the Romeoville area.
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| #2 | Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | $32,000/yr | Career changers wanting an accelerated BSN | |
Chamberlain University's Addison campus is a practical commute from Romeoville, offering a three-year BSN with no prerequisites required to start nursing courses. The program features hands-on training in the SIMCARE CENTER and includes clinical rotations at numerous Chicagoland healthcare sites. As a private university, there is no out-of-state tuition penalty, and flexible scheduling options support working students.
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| #3 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | Illinois residents seeking in-state affordability | |
The University of Illinois Chicago, a public flagship, offers both a traditional BSN and a Direct Entry MSN for those with a bachelor's in another field. Illinois residents benefit from in-state tuition, and UIC's extensive clinical partnerships throughout Chicago hospitals give Romeoville-area students access to top-tier facilities. Graduates see strong earnings, with a median of $68,740 ten years out, reflecting the program's high ROI.
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| #4 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | $2,000/yr (net price) | ||
Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL, provides an associate degree in nursing (ADN) that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and offers pathways to online BSN completion through in-state university partnerships. Romeoville residents should note it is out-of-district, resulting in higher tuition, and clinical sites are centered in east-central Illinois, typically requiring relocation.
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| #5 | Olney Central College | Olney, IL | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | ||
Olney Central College's ACEN-accredited ADN program focuses on hands-on learning and meeting southeastern Illinois workforce needs. As an out-of-district school for Romeoville residents, tuition is higher, and clinicals are clustered near Olney, making it best for those planning to relocate.
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| #6 | Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | $4,000/yr | ||
Richland Community College in Decatur boasts a 95% NCLEX pass rate for its four-semester ADN program, emphasizing patient-centered care. However, it follows an in-district pricing model, so Romeoville students pay more, and clinicals are based in central Illinois.
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| #7 | Sauk Valley Community College | Dixon, IL | $8,000/yr | ||
Sauk Valley Community College's two-year ADN requires a CNA certificate and TEAS testing, with a focus on rural and small-city healthcare in northwestern Illinois. Romeoville students would pay out-of-district rates and need to relocate for clinicals in the Dixon area.
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| #8 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL | $23,000/yr | ||
Bradley University in Peoria offers both a traditional direct-entry BSN and a 15-month accelerated BSN, with early clinical experiences and a near-perfect NCLEX pass rate. As a private university, tuition is uniform regardless of residency, but clinicals are tied to Peoria's large medical community, necessitating a move.
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| #9 | Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg, IL | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
Carl Sandburg College's ADN program is noted for a 100% job placement rate and very low net price, but it primarily serves west-central Illinois. Romeoville residents would be out-of-district, and the program's employment pipelines are concentrated around Galesburg.
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| #10 | Rend Lake College | Ina, IL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Rend Lake College in Ina provides an ADN program requiring CNA certification, with a curriculum spanning four semesters. Its clinical partners are in southern Illinois, far from Romeoville, and out-of-district tuition applies for non-local students.
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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.
