Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for BSN programs within commuting distance of Tinley Park.
Which accredited BSN programs within a 75-mile radius of Tinley Park, IL combine manageable tuition with NCLEX pass rates above 90%? Located in Chicago’s south suburbs, Tinley Park is within easy reach of BSN options at Chamberlain’s campus, Lewis University, and UIC, as well as multiple community college ADN-to-BSN pathways. Program choices range from traditional on-campus to hybrid and online formats, giving you flexibility around work and family. The ranking below evaluates local schools by net price and outcomes, focusing on accredited nursing programs in Illinois with separate breakouts for tuition, NCLEX data, and licensure steps. Across the region, first-time NCLEX pass rates vary from 85% to 98%, and most area hospitals now require or strongly prefer a BSN for new graduate RN hires.
The nursing programs ranked here reflect a mix of local convenience, affordability, and proven outcomes for students in the Tinley Park area. Chamberlain’s Tinley Park campus, Lewis University’s Romeoville location, and UIC’s Chicago campus offer the best commute options, while downstate colleges provide low-cost ADN alternatives for those willing to relocate. Each school’s net price, institution-wide graduation rate, and program format were weighed to help you find the right fit.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | $32,000/yr | Three-year BSN seekers | |
Chamberlain University-Illinois operates a dedicated campus in Tinley Park, making it the most convenient option for local students seeking a fast-paced BSN. The 3-year program has no prerequisites to begin nursing courses, features hands-on training in the SIMCARE CENTER™, and offers flexible evening/weekend options. With an institutional net price of $31,837 and a graduation rate of 41.7%, it's an investment that leads to strong earnings; College Scorecard data shows median earnings of $92,405 ten years after entry. This CCNE-accredited program emphasizes small class sizes and personalized support, with clinicals arranged throughout the south and greater Chicago region.
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| #2 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | $17,000/yr | South suburban commuters | |
Located just a short commute from Tinley Park in Romeoville, Lewis University’s BSN program ranks among Illinois’ top ten and boasts a 98% NCLEX pass rate. This campus-based program takes a holistic approach, with clinical experiences at over 50 affiliating agencies across Chicagoland. The net price for the 2023 year was $17,028, and the institution-wide graduation rate stands at 66.6%. Students benefit from a supportive community and a curriculum that integrates ethical decision-making and evidence-based practice.
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| #3 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | In-state tuition seekers | |
The University of Illinois Chicago offers the most affordable path to a BSN for in-state students, with a net price of $10,974 and a 61.6% institution-wide graduation rate. Its hybrid BSN program provides three pathways, including RN-to-BSN, and combines online and in-person learning at the Chicago campus. For career changers, a Direct Entry MSN is also available. UIC’s strong earnings outcomes, with median ten-year earnings of $68,740, make it a compelling choice for south suburban residents willing to commute into the city.
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| #4 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | $2,000/yr (net price) | ||
Lake Land College in Mattoon offers a low-cost ADN program with a net price of just $2,254 and an institutional graduation rate of 58.3%. Over 30 years of nursing education excellence supports a curriculum that includes hands-on clinicals and articulation partnerships with Illinois universities for BSN completion. While the campus is a significant drive from Tinley Park, the program’s affordability and high job placement make it worth considering for students open to relocating or commuting longer distances.
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| #5 | Olney Central College | Olney, IL | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | ||
Olney Central College in Olney, IL, provides an ACEN-accredited ADN program approved by the state, with a net price of $10,092 and a 63.2% institutional graduation rate. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. Located in southeastern Illinois, this program is best suited for those outside the immediate Tinley Park area or those willing to commute for a high-quality, community-focused nursing education.
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| #6 | Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | $4,000/yr | ||
Richland Community College’s ADN program in Decatur boasts a high 95% NCLEX pass rate and a net price of $3,741, making it one of the most affordable pathways into nursing. With an institutional graduation rate of 60.3%, the four-semester program focuses on patient care, medical history recording, and treatment administration. Like other downstate schools, it requires a commute or relocation but offers strong outcomes and low median debt of $8,256.
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| #7 | Sauk Valley Community College | Dixon, IL | $8,000/yr | ||
Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon offers an ADN program with a net price of $8,493 and an institutional graduation rate of 49.1%. This two-year campus program requires a CNA certificate and TEAS testing, and tuition starts at $13,344 for in-district students. With a focus on adaptability in diverse healthcare settings, Sauk Valley prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN, though its location in northwest Illinois means commuting from Tinley Park is impractical for most.
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| #8 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL | $23,000/yr | ||
Bradley University in Peoria delivers both a traditional BSN and an accelerated 15-month ABSN for career changers, with an institution-wide graduation rate of 76.2% and a net price of $22,719. Early clinical experiences starting sophomore year and high NCLEX pass rates underscore the program’s quality, though the campus is distant from Tinley Park. Graduates report median ten-year earnings of $66,852 and low default rates on student debt.
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| #9 | Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg, IL | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
Carl Sandburg College’s ADN program in Galesburg costs in-district students about $21,252.75, but the net price after aid is just $3,662. The program boasts a 100% job placement rate and ACEN accreditation, with an institutional graduation rate of 50%. While too far for a daily commute from Tinley Park, it’s an affordable, high-placement option for those open to moving to west-central Illinois.
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| #10 | Rend Lake College | Ina, IL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Rend Lake College in Ina provides an ADN program with a net price of $9,187 and a 63.4% institution-wide graduation rate. The four-semester curriculum requires CNA certification and covers pharmacology, anatomy, and clinical reasoning. Recent NCLEX pass rates have been around 75%, and the program is ACEN-accredited. This southern Illinois campus is a lengthy trip from Tinley Park, so it’s best considered by those already near the region or planning a move.
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Understanding the cost of a nursing education is crucial for prospective students. The table below compares published in-state and out-of-state tuition alongside the average net price after financial aid for BSN programs near Tinley Park. Net price is an institution-wide average, not a guaranteed individual quote; actual costs depend on your financial aid eligibility and household finances. The spread is significant, with net prices ranging from about $2,200 to over $6,400 per year, illustrating major differences in affordability across these schools.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Valley Community College | $15,239 | $16,385 | $2,232 |
| Lake Land College | $8,342 | $14,301 | $2,254 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | $8,502 | $9,846 | $2,829 |
| Carl Sandburg College | $8,000 | $8,900 | $3,662 |
| Richland Community College | $10,800 | $17,070 | $3,741 |
| Kishwaukee College | $9,120 | $13,680 | $4,574 |
| Danville Area Community College | $7,440 | $7,440 | $4,777 |
| Highland Community College | $7,216 | $7,360 | $5,713 |
| Elgin Community College | $7,140 | $9,516 | $6,026 |
| Kaskaskia College | $7,770 | $12,570 | $6,477 |
NCLEX pass rates are one of the most reliable indicators of nursing program quality. They measure the percentage of graduates who pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) on their first attempt, which directly reflects how well a program prepares students for licensure.
For the 2024, 2025 testing period, Chamberlain University’s Tinley Park campus achieved a 92% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.1 This figure is from the campus’s consumer information disclosures and surpasses both state and national benchmarks.
Strong pass rates like this suggest a curriculum that aligns well with NCLEX content and clinical readiness standards. Chamberlain’s national BSN pass rate was only 79.75% in 2025,1 making the Tinley Park result even more notable.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation monitors program pass rates closely.2 Schools whose first-time pass rates fall below 80% risk state scrutiny or provisional approval status. While a single year’s dip doesn’t always signal trouble, a consistent pattern below that threshold should prompt caution.
Rasmussen University’s Mokena campus has not publicly reported NCLEX pass rates for 2024, 2025 at the program level. If you’re considering Rasmussen or any other nursing school, look for recent pass rate data on the school’s consumer information page or the Illinois Board of Nursing’s education program pass rates resource.2
While program-specific earnings figures for the first few years after graduation are not yet available, longer-term federal data from the College Scorecard reveals a strong return on investment for nursing graduates in the Tinley Park area. For context, the national median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Becoming a registered nurse in Illinois requires completing an accredited nursing program, passing the NCLEX-RN, and applying for licensure through the IDFPR. The process includes a fingerprint-based background check and typically takes four to six years from the start of prerequisites to license approval, though accelerated programs can shorten the timeline.
Many nursing students need flexibility to balance work, family, and education. In the Tinley Park area, several top-ranked programs accommodate demanding schedules through hybrid, evening, and online options.
Chamberlain University's Tinley Park campus delivers a pre-licensure BSN in a hybrid format that can be completed in 36 months. Students choose day, evening, or weekend cohorts, completing coursework online while attending in-person labs and clinical rotations. University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) also offers a hybrid BSN from its Chicago campus, a public university pathway accessible to south suburban students seeking flexible scheduling.
Hands-on training relies on strong clinical partnerships. Chamberlain assists students in securing placements at major regional health systems, including Advocate Christ Medical Center, Franciscan Health, OSF HealthCare, and Silver Cross Hospital. UIC maintains over 50 clinical sites across the Chicago area, expanding exposure to diverse care settings.
For registered nurses holding an associate degree or diploma, Chamberlain provides a fully online RN-to-BSN degree completion option available to Illinois residents.1 The program includes an assisted practicum placement process, students who request help three sessions in advance and document any site denials receive support securing a local site, as outlined in Chamberlain’s nursing practicum commitment, letting them advance without relocating or leaving their job.
Direct LPN-to-BSN programs are less common near Tinley Park, but several community colleges offer LPN-to-ADN bridges that can lead to BSN completion. Schools like Prairie State College and Joliet Junior College may offer step-up tracks, and some four-year institutions evaluate LPN credentials for advanced standing. Contact admissions offices for the most current articulation agreements.
Choosing a nursing program near Tinley Park involves comparing costs, program lengths, and outcomes. Below are quick answers to the most common questions prospective students ask when exploring nursing schools in the Chicago South Suburbs area.
