Best ADN Programs in Illinois

Illinois, like all other states, offers plenty of job opportunities for registered nurses (RNs), and, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for RNs in the state is $87,650 per year. But what makes this career even more appealing is that many RNs also qualify for such great perks as sign-on bonuses, overtime pay, flexible work schedules, health insurance, and excellent retirement packages. Of course, the first thing required to become an RN in Illinois, like in all other states, is acquiring the fundamental skills needed for a career as an RN. This can be accomplished by enrolling in an associate degree in nursing, or ADN, program of any of Illinois' many fine community colleges or trade schools.

Source: Projections Central, BLS

ADN programs can be completed in just two years. They comprise classroom lectures, laboratory work, and clinical training sessions.

Upon the completion of an ADN program, you may want to consider completing an NCLEX-RN exam preparatory course. This course can help you prepare for the rigors of this two-part licensing exam.

Related: Average Cost of Tuition for an ADN Program

The Best ADN Programs in Illinois

Finding a good school in Illinois for your ADN program may seem a bit overwhelming. However, it is not at all, thanks to the presence of numerous schools offering accredited ADN programs in the state, including these fine institutes:

1. Ambria College of Nursing

   5210 Trillium Blvd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 (847) 397-0300

2. Black Hawk College

   6600 34th Ave, Moline, IL 61265 (309) 796-5000

3. Carl Sandburg College

   2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd, Galesburg, IL 61401 (309) 344-2518

4. City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College

   1145 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 (773) 907-4000

5. City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College

   6301 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60621 (773) 602-5000

6. City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College

   1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612 (312) 850-7000

7. City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College

   10001 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 (773) 291-6100

8. City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College

   4300 N Narragansett Ave, Chicago, IL 60634 (773) 777-7900

9. College of DuPage

   425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (630) 942-2800

10. College of Lake County

    19351 W Washington St, Grayslake, IL 60030 (847) 543-2000

11. Danville Area Community College

    2000 E Main St, Danville, IL 61832 (217) 443-3222

12. Elgin Community College

    1700 Spartan Dr, Elgin, IL 60123 (847) 697-1000

13. Frontier Community College

    Frontier Dr, Fairfield, IL 62837 (618) 393-2982

14. Heartland Community College

    1500 W Raab Rd, Normal, IL 61761 (309) 268-8000

15. Highland Community College

    2998 W Pearl City Rd, Freeport, IL 61032 (815) 235-6121

16. Illinois Central College

    1 College Dr, East Peoria, IL 61611 (309) 694-5422

17. Illinois Valley Community College

    815 N Orlando Smith St, Oglesby, IL 61348 (815) 224-2720

18. John A Logan College

    700 Logan College Rd, Carterville, IL 62918 (618) 985-3741

19. John Wood Community College

    1301 S 48th St, Quincy, IL 62305 (217) 224-6500

20. Joliet Junior College

    1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431 (815) 729-9020

21. Kankakee Community College

    100 College Drive, Kankakee, IL 60901 (815) 802-8500

22. Kaskaskia College

    27210 College Rd, Centralia, IL 62801 (618) 545-3000

23. Kishwaukee College

    21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL 60150 (815) 825-2086

24. Lake Land College

    5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL 61938 (217) 234-5253

25. Lewis & Clark Community College

    5800 Godfrey Rd, Godfrey, IL 62035 (618) 468-7000

26. Lincoln Land Community College

    5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 786-2200

27. Lincoln Trail College

    11220 State Highway 1, Robinson, IL 62454 (618) 393-2982

28. McHenry County College

    8900 US-14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012 (815) 455-3700

29. Moraine Valley Community College

    9000 College Pkwy, Palos Hills, IL 60465 (708) 974-4300

30. Morton College

    3801 S Central Ave, Cicero, IL 60804 (708) 656-8000

31. Northwestern College

    4829 N Lipps Ave, Chicago, IL 60630 (773) 777-4220

32. Northwestern College

    7725 S Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL 60455 (888) 205-2283

33. Oakton Community College

    1600 E Golf Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016 (847) 635-1600

34. Olney Central College

    305 N West St, Olney, IL 62450 (618) 393-2982

35. Parkland College

    2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL 61821 (217) 351-2200

36. Prairie State College

    202 S Halsted St, Chicago Heights, IL 60411 (708) 709-3500

37. Rasmussen College

    6000 E State St 4th Floor, Rockford, IL 61108 (815) 316-4800

38. Rend Lake College

    468 Ken Gray Pkwy, Ina, IL 62846 (618) 437-5321

39. Richland Community College

    4275 E Mound Rd, Decatur, IL 62521 (217) 875-7200

40. Robert Morris University Illinois

    401 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605 (312) 935-6800

41. Rock Valley College

    3301 N Mulford Rd, Rockford, IL 61114 (815) 921-7821

42. Sauk Valley Community College

    173 IL-2, Dixon, IL 61021 (815) 288-5511

43. Shawnee Community College

    8364 Shawnee College Rd, Ullin, IL 62992 (618) 634-3200

44. South Suburban College

    15800 S State St, Riverdale, IL 60827 (708) 596-2000

45. Southeastern Illinois College

    3575 College Rd, Harrisburg, IL 62946 (618) 252-5400

46. Southwestern Illinois College

    2500 Carlyle Ave, Belleville, IL 62221 (618) 235-2700

47. Spoon River College

    23235 N County 22, Canton, IL 61520 (309) 647-4645

48. Trinity Christian College

    6601 W College Dr, Palos Heights, IL 60463 (708) 597-3000

49. Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences

    2122 25th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201 (309) 779-7700

50. Triton College

    2000 5th Ave, River Grove, IL 60171 (708) 456-0300

51. Wabash Valley College

    2200 College Dr, Mt Carmel, IL 62863 (618) 393-2982

52. Waubonsee Community College

    IL-47 & Waubonsee Dr, Sugar Grove, IL 60554 (630) 466-7900

53. William Rainey Harper College

    1200 W Algonquin Rd, Palatine, IL 60067 (847) 925-6000

54. William Rainey Harper College

    1200 W Algonquin Rd, Palatine, IL 60067 (847) 925-6683

Job Outlook & Salary for RNs in Illinois

RNs in Illinois are in high demand, with a projected 3.1% job growth from 2022 to 2032, according to Projection Central. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 139,910 RNs in the state, earning an average annual salary of $87,650, or $42.14 per hour.

Use our RN salary calculator to estimate your potential earnings based on location, experience, and education.

Explore salary trends for RNs in Illinois's metro areas below:

Source: BLS

Conclusion

In conclusion, Illinois offers top-notch ADN programs that prepare students for thriving nursing careers. With high demand for RNs and strong earning potential, pursuing an ADN in Illinois is a solid investment in a healthcare future.