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Best BSN Nursing Programs in Chicago in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

Best BSN Nursing Programs in Chicago in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

BSN Nursing Programs in ChicagoLooking for a nursing program in Chicago? You’re in the right place. Obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from one of the best BSN nursing programs in Chicago allows prospective students to pursue a rewarding nursing career. Current nurses that obtain a BSN have the opportunity to advance their nursing career, and likely earn a better salary, compared to nurses without the degree.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) believes that the proper education of nurses has a ‘significant impact’ on the knowledge and skills of nurses. The AACN further explains that nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree have the expertise to meet the demands on nurses in both inpatient and outpatient practice settings. 

Benefits of BSN Nursing Programs in Chicago

There are outstanding opportunities for nurses in the Chicago area. This is true whether a student pursues a BSN degree as a first-time student, or as a licensed registered nurse (RN) seeking to expand their career options. Some programs allow students with a Bachelor’s degree in another area to pursue a BSN degree, opening new doors for individuals that want to change their career.

Becker’s Hospital Review lists 10 healthcare professions that are expected to have considerable job growth through at least 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Registered nurses, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and nurse midwives are on the list. Some colleges offer degree programs that provide a path to obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) while simultaneously pursuing a BSN degree, allowing registered nurses to enjoy a career as a nurse with additional advanced education.

The BLS indicates that nurses in the Chicago area earned a salary that was ‘significantly’ above the average salary for nurses in Illinois, and significantly above the annual salary for registered nurses in the U.S.

Consider these best BSN nursing programs in Chicago and surrounding Chicago suburbs to obtain your degree. Most of the schools offer traditional on-campus programs, and several schools offer online BSN programs. Please contact us if you have questions about the rankings, or if you would like to have your school included in our rankings.

1. Saint Xavier University

Saint Xavier University BSN Nursing Programs in Chicago

Pursue an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree at Saint Xavier University, a school with a long history of graduating students from its variety of nursing programs. The ABSN offers students that already hold a baccalaureate degree in another area to earn a BSN in a shorter time frame, compared to entering a BSN program as a first-time student. Students engage in classroom instruction, clinical rotations, and simulation labs. The school also offers a traditional BSN program.

Are you an LPN looking to earn your BSN? Saint Xavier University offers a unique LPN to BSN nursing program that allows current licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to obtain a BSN degree in a reduced time, compared to a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Saint Xavier accepts applications for this program for both the fall and the spring term. The tuition is just slightly less than tuition for the ABSN program.

  • Tuition: est. $761.11 per credit hour
  • Program length: 15 months
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 94%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

2. Robert Morris University

Robert Morris University offers nurses that hold a current, unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse (RN) the opportunity to obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The school points to statistics indicating that nurses with a BSN degree enjoy a salary that is approximately 50 percent higher than nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).  

  • Tuition: est. $654 per credit hour
  • Program length: est. 15 months
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: 81%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

3. Loyola University Chicago

Enroll in the Loyola University Chicago Accelerated BSN program and obtain your BSN in significantly less time than a traditional program. This program is for students that have a bachelor’s degree in another area, and that have a non-nursing background. The ABSN program fast-tracks students through the program, building on the current bachelor’s degree, with accelerated nursing courses, participation in labs and clinical rotations. The school offers the ABSN program in a traditional classroom setting, and in a hybrid online format.

Loyola University Chicago also offers a traditional four-year BSN program that prepares students to work as competent nurses with the ability to deliver excellence in patient care, to make sound decisions, and to develop critical thinking skills, and strong clinical skills. Students learn nursing skills in the classroom, through state-of-the-art teaching tools, and during clinical rotations. Tuition for that program is $884 per credit hour.

  • Tuition: est. $931.33 per credit hour (ABSN)
  • Program length: 16 months
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: 95%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

4. North Park University

The RN to BSN program at North Park University is offered in a blended format, meaning that students complete some requirements online, and complete some program requirements in a face-to-face campus setting. Study at your own pace while continuing your day-to-day responsibilities.

Do you prefer attending classes in a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program? Earn your BSN at the North Park University Chicago campus, and gain the knowledge and skills needed to work in a variety of nursing settings. Students learn through traditional classroom education, labs, and eight clinical rotations. Tuition is $950 per credit hour for the traditional four-year BSN program at North Park University.

  • Tuition: $620 per credit hour
  • Program length: 18 months
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: 82%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

5. Chicago State University

Chicago State University offers nurses that hold a current, unrestricted RN licensure the opportunity to pursue their RN to BSN degree by attending classes just one evening each week. Students learn to utilize critical thinking skills, evidence-based practices, and modern technology. Gain the leadership skills that will allow for career advancement in nursing.

The school also offers a traditional BSN program.

  • Tuition: $312 per credit hour
  • Program length: 18 months
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: N/A
  • Accreditation: ACEN

6. Trinity Christian College

Develop the knowledge and clinical skills required of nurses when you obtain your BSN degree from Trinity Christian College. Students that successfully complete the BSN program also graduate with a minor in science. Learn in the classroom, in the simulation nursing lab, and through clinical rotations at one of several Chicago-area hospitals or other medical facilities.

  • Tuition: est. $957 per credit hour
  • Program length: 2 years
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

7. DePaul University

The DePaul University RN to MS (BS) program is a unique nursing program that allows nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to obtain both a BSN and MSN degree. The school also offers the program to registered nurses (RNs) with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The BSN portion of this program prepares nurses to utilize the skills essential to nursing, build on theory and evidence-based practices in nursing.

Students apply for conferral of the BSN degree upon completion of that portion of the program and continue completing the requirements to also obtain the MSN degree. Students gain advanced skills that opens new doors in a nursing career, with options for better pay. The school also offers other nursing programs.

  • Tuition: $655 per credit hour
  • Program length: 5 years (Both degrees combined)
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: N/A
  • Accreditation: CCNE

8. University of Illinois

The University of Illinois admits students to the traditional BSN program if the student previously completed a minimum of 57 credit hours of courses, and if the student is accepted into the program. Students complete the program over four semesters of full-time study. Students learn in a classroom setting, a simulation lab, and clinical rotations. Learn the basics of nursing care, critical thinking skills, decision-making skills, and working as a nurse in a variety of settings.

The school also offers the opportunity for nurses to receive their degrees in an online format. The RN to BSN program at the University of Illinois provides the same level of attention that students receive in the traditional BSN program. Students enjoy the flexibility of an online BSN program, with tuition that is less expensive than the on-campus tuition. Tuition for the two-year RN to BSN online program is $475 per credit hour.

  • Tuition: $882 per credit hour
  • Program length: est. 2 years
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: 84%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

9. Resurrection University

Resurrection University understands that a one size fits all BSN program does not offer every student the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The university offers several options for completing its BSN pre-licensure program. Are you unable to attend traditional daytime classes because of work or your other obligations? Resurrection University points to the fact that the school offers one of the few evening/weekend programs. There are three start dates each year, both for BSN-Day and BSN-Evening/Weekend tracks.

Students learn evidence-based practices, development of professional nursing behaviors, skills, and effective communications. Gain the skills to evaluate and apply data as it relates to nursing, and to deliver patient-centered care.

  • Tuition: $901 per credit hour
  • Program length: est. 15 months
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: 70%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

10. Lewis University

The traditional BSN program at Lewis University provides a format for students to learn a holistic approach to nursing care. This means that nurses treat the whole individual. Students gain basic nursing skills, the ability to perform effective decision-making in nursing, evidence-based practices, delivery of patient-centered care throughout the lifespan, and other essential nursing skills.

The school also offers an RN to BSN program with lower tuition, compared to the traditional BSN program. The RN to BSN program is designed for current working nurses with RN licensure.

  • Tuition: $996 per credit hour
  • Program length: est. 3 years
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: 95%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

11. Elmhurst College

The Elmhurst College Pre-Licensure BSN program prepares students for learning both the science and the art of nursing. Students take courses in the arts and sciences prior to starting their nursing courses. Students develop a strong foundation for nursing skills and knowledge, including assessments, evidence-based practices, research in nursing, and healthcare delivery across the lifespan. Gain the knowledge required for leadership and policymaking in nursing.

Some students start working in nursing immediately after obtaining their BSN from Elmhurst College, while others continue their education by enrolling in one of the MSN programs offered by the college.

  • Tuition: $1,090 per credit hour
  • Program length: est. 3 years
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: 87%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

12. Benedictine University

Students have two options for pursuing an RN to BSN degree at Benedictine University. The university offers the program at its suburban Chicago campus in Lisle, and in an online format. The program allows current RNs to build on their existing skills and knowledge that they acquired through their prior education, and while on-the-job. The school features a unique format for obtaining the degree by creating an individualized academic plan for each student in the program. Students completing the program in the traditional setting take classes in the evening.

The school offers another exciting nursing program, which is the RN – BSN – MSN degree program.

  • Tuition: $1,090 per credit hour
  • Program length: 3 years
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: approx. 88%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Methodology

We ranked each school by using select criteria and assigning a unique score for tuition, program length, NCLEX first-time pass rate, and accreditation. When there was a tie, the school with the lower tuition received a higher ranking. It is important to understand that stated tuition costs are the cost of per credit hour instruction and does not include other fees or expenses.

We strive to do our best to be fair, honest, and accurate in all our rankings. We obtain information directly from the school or from the NCES. No school can pay us for a higher ranking. Any supported school is listed separately and clearly designated as SPONSORED.

We invite you to contact us if you would like to have your school reviewed or if you would like to make edits to your current listing. Please contact us if you have any questions.

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