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 below are ranked for Tinley Park-area students based on a blend of local accessibility, program format, and institutional outcomes. Several options are within easy commuting distance, while others offer online or hybrid pathways for south suburban learners. Each school card includes average net price, institution-wide graduation rate, and available delivery format.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | ~$32,000/yr (est.) | South suburban students wanting hybrid BSN | |
Chamberlain University-Illinois operates a Tinley Park campus, making it a local commuter-friendly BSN option for south suburban students. The 3-year BSN blends online coursework with in-person labs and Chicago-area clinical placements. Average net price is about $31,800, and the institution-wide graduation rate is around 42%. Military benefits
| |||||
| #2 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | ~$18,000/yr (est.) | Working RNs seeking online BSN completion | |
University of Illinois Chicago is a public research university in Chicago, accessible to Tinley Park students for in-person or hybrid study. Its BSN offers multiple entry pathways, including an online RN to BSN option, and its Direct Entry MSN provides a graduate route for non-nurses. Average net price is about $11,000, and the institution-wide graduation rate is roughly 62%. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #3 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | Will County commuters wanting cohort support | |
Lewis University in Romeoville is one of the closest four-year nursing options to Tinley Park, with easy access via I-55. The campus-based BSN features a cohort model, strong NCLEX preparation, and clinical rotations across more than 50 sites. Average net price is about $17,000, and the institution-wide graduation rate is roughly 67%. CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #4 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | $2,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Lake Land College in Mattoon offers a low-cost associate degree nursing program with an average net price around $2,300 and an institution-wide graduation rate near 58%. The campus-based ADN takes three years and includes clinical rotations, but it is not within commuting distance for most Tinley Park residents. ACEN accredited
| |||||
| #5 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL | ~$19,000/yr (est.) | ||
Illinois State University in Normal offers three BSN routes: a traditional campus program, a fully online RN to BSN, and a 15-month accelerated second-degree option. While the main campus is not within driving distance of Tinley Park, the online RN to BSN track provides flexibility for working nurses. Average net price is around $19,400, and the institution-wide graduation rate is about 65%.
Rolling admissionsFully online option
| |||||
| #6 | Saint Anthony College of Nursing | Rockford, IL | $25,000 – $30,000/yr (est.) | ||
Saint Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford is a small Catholic nursing school with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and strong NCLEX results. Average net price and institution-wide graduation rate are not reported in the available data. The campus is located northwest of Chicago, not a practical commute for most Tinley Park students.
| |||||
| #7 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL | ~$23,000/yr (est.) | ||
Bradley University in Peoria offers a traditional BSN and a 15-month accelerated BSN, both campus-based with clinical access to two major hospital systems. Average net price is near $22,700, and the institution-wide graduation rate is about 76%. It is not a commuter option for Tinley Park students, but the accelerated track may appeal to career changers willing to relocate. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #8 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | ~$23,000/yr (est.) | ||
DePaul University in Chicago offers a campus-based BSN and a Master's Entry to Nursing Practice for career changers. Its nursing programs emphasize simulation labs, small classes, and strong clinical placement networks across the Chicago area. Average net price is about $30,900, and the institution-wide graduation rate is roughly 68%. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #9 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
Elgin Community College offers an associate degree nursing program with a long-standing reputation and an average net price around $6,000. The campus is in Elgin, roughly an hour northwest of Tinley Park, so it may suit students willing to commute or relocate. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 41%, reflecting its open-access mission. ACEN accredited
| |||||
| #10 | William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
William Rainey Harper College in Palatine offers an associate degree in nursing with strong reported pass and job placement rates. The program is campus-based and not a short commute from Tinley Park, but it is among the more recognized community college nursing options in the Chicago suburbs. Average net price is about $11,600, and the institution-wide graduation rate is near 48%.
| |||||
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.
