Illinois RN-BSN Programs: Affordable & Fast Options for 2025

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Speed your search for an Online RN to BSN in Illinois! Use our state listings to explore CCNE-accredited options. Skim through rankings of the best and cheapest Online RN to BSN programs in Illinois. Apply for relevant IL nursing scholarships and tuition discounts. And find answers to FAQs, including details on Online RN to BSN to MSN pathways.

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Illinois

1. University of Illinois at Chicago

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: 12 Months or More
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 64%*

UIC’s 100% Online RN to BSN ticks our #1 box for a number of reasons. The College of Nursing has a strong local reputation, active nursing faculty, solid research credentials, and BSN partnerships with community colleges & healthcare organizations (e.g. University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System). RN to BSN graduates are guaranteed admission to UIC’s Advanced Generalist MSN program. And all RNs pay the same per credit e-tuition rate, regardless of their state.

Note: Although NCLEX pass rates were abnormally low in 2022, that’s not the norm for UIC. Pass rates usually hover between 80%-90%.

2. Olivet Nazarene University

Program: Online RN-BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: 16 Months
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 97%

Searching for a quality program with a faith-based approach? ONU’s Online RN-BSN may be just the ticket! It’s offered by a School of Nursing with excellent NCLEX pass rates, superb job placement statistics, and a number of MSN pathways for BSN graduates. In addition to the standard array of credits, the RN-BSN curriculum includes unique coursework in The Global Community and Issues in Health Care, Law, and Ethics. And your 60 practicum hours can be tackled with a self-selected preceptor in your local area.

3. Northern Illinois University

Program: Online RN-BS
RN to BSN Credits: 28
Length: ~12 Months (Full-Time)
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 75%

Featuring in our #3 spot is NIU’s practical Online RN-BS. It’s the work of a School of Nursing with 9,000+ alumni nurses and plenty of connections to the community. The School has ties to more than 230 regional health care partners in the Illinois area. Courses for the Online RN-BS are offered in an eight-week format, so we’re estimating the entire program would take 12 months to complete. But don’t be afraid to ask the program coordinator for sample calendar. After graduation, you may even wish to consider pursuing an Online MSN in FNP or Nursing Education.

4. Illinois State University

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 31
Length: 1 Year (Full-Time); 2 Years (Part-Time)
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 90%

You can’t beat the track record! ISU’s Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) has been offering an RN to BSN program for more than 30 years. MCN runs all kinds of useful community outreach initiatives, offers nursing scholarships, and has a stake in symptom science and aging/gerontological nursing research. If you work for Advocate Aurora Health, you may be eligible special tuition benefits. Local community college students also qualify for streamlined admission. Better yet, Online RN to BSN students are eligible to take part in MCN’s unique Transcultural Nursing Experience Program and the Leadership Academy.

5. University of St. Francis

Program: Online BSN Completion Program
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: 1 Year or More
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 88%

Choose USF’s Online BSN Completion Program and you’ll be selecting a degree from a university with strong median earnings for BSN graduates and plenty of healthcare partner tuition discounts. The Leach College of Nursing offers a number of scholarships—including awards for BSN Completion students–and faculty are experienced & diverse. If you’re interested in graduate work down the line, you could consider the Online MSN or the Online DNP. Leach also offers a Teaching in Nursing Graduate Certificate.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Illinois

Illinois is not the cheapest state for Online RN to BSN students. Even public university programs can be pricey, especially when you include mandatory fees. For this ranking, we only included offerings that were between $8,500-$10,000. If you need cheaper options, have a look at the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. Eastern Illinois University

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 32
Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
NCLEX Pass Rates: N/A

Tuition rates for EIU’s 100% Online RN to BSN are the most affordable in the state. We’ve used the cost estimate based on the 32-credit minimum. If you need to complete any additional prerequisites, the price will obviously go up.

2. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Program: Accelerated RN to BS (Online)
RN to BSN Credits: 22+
Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
NCLEX Pass Rates: 79%

The total cost for SIUE’s 100% Online Accelerated RN to BS will depend on your credit transfers. The baseline price for nursing courses, including tuition & general student fees, is pretty reasonable for all students, regardless of their state of residence. But costs will go up if you need to add General Education courses. Fortunately, you can take them at SIUE or a local community college. Be sure to check out SIUE’s corporate partnerships.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois

To be included in our fastest rankings, Online RN to BSN programs in Illinois had to be less than one year/3 semesters. We didn’t find any in state that met this threshold. If you need to earn your BSN in a hurry, check out our list of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country. Some of them are self-paced; some are only 8 months/2 semesters.

RN to BSN Scholarships in Illinois

Statewide Scholarships for Illinois RN to BSN Students

Illinois Nursing Organization Scholarships

The Illinois Nursing Workforce Center offers useful advice on where nurses can find financial aid, scholarships, and grants. As an Illinois RN, you can apply for funds from the state government:

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Nursing Education Scholarship Program

And Illinois nursing & healthcare organizations:

Illinois Community Foundation Scholarships

Use Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations’s map to find your IL community foundation. These organizations offer tons of scholarships to local residents. Many awards are reserved for high school graduates, but some are open to continuing students. Here are just two examples—there are plenty more!

You can also apply for awards from civic organizations, including the Masons:

Illinois Healthcare System & University Partnerships

Before you choose a program, be sure to talk to your Illinois employer about education benefits. A huge number of hospitals & healthcare systems have partnerships in place with Illinois universities. You may be eligible for tuition discounts, tuition reimbursement, and more. Examples include:

SIUE’s Corporate Partnerships
ISU’s Advocate Aurora Health Partnership
Chamberlain’s Educational Healthcare Partnerships

University Scholarships for Illinois RN to BSN Students

Once you have your shortlist down to 3-4 Illinois schools, have a look at institutional aid opportunities. We’ve included links to partnerships, specific nursing awards (e.g. McKendree’s Diana Joyce Doros Scholarship) and general funds. Keep in mind that some university scholarships will only be open to “traditional” 4-year undergraduate students.

Benedictine University

Benedictine Scholarships

Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Blessing-Rieman Scholarships

Chamberlain University

Illinois State University

McKendree University

Methodist College

Millikin University

Millikin Scholarships

Northern Illinois University

Olivet Nazarene University

ONU Scholarships

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

SFMC-CON Scholarships

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

St. John’s College

Trinity College of Nursing & Health

Trinity College Scholarships

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of St. Francis

Western Illinois University

WIU Scholarships

RN to BSN Requirements in Illinois

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are “post-licensure” programs. Illinois universities will expect you to have—or be in the midst of earning—your RN license. For example, UIC only accepts current RNs or applicants who are waiting to sit for the NCLEX exam. Proof of passing the NCLEX must be provided before the start of the program’s second course.

If you need any help with licensure, the Illinois Board of Nursing can assist.
Trying to get a sense of the College of Nursing’s overall reputation? The Illinois Nursing Workforce Center posts NCLEX pass rates. These won’t apply to RN to BSN programs, but they’re a useful quality marker.

State Authorization: Coming from out-of-state? Make sure you’re eligible to apply.

Due to distance learning regulations, some schools may not be able to accept students from certain states. We didn’t encounter a lot of state authorization issues with Illinois programs, but ask the RN to BSN program coordinator if you have questions.
Most Illinois universities are more than happy to accept RNs from any state, but there are a few exceptions. For instance, NIU and Benedictine require Online RN to BSN candidates to have a valid Illinois RN license.

Illinois Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs

Are There Any 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois?

Absolutely. In fact, almost all of the offerings in our Illinois RN to BSN listings are run on a 100% model. All classes & tests will be online; there will be no campus visits required. Better yet, coursework is often asynchronous (accessible at any time).

One thing to note—you may still have to travel to local sites for BSN-level clinical practicums & fieldwork (e.g. Community Health projects). You’ll work with the school to arrange convenient sites & preceptors.

Do I Need to Have Statistics to Apply for Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois?

Not necessarily. Some schools require it; some schools don’t. For instance:

ISU’s Online RN to BSN does not require chemistry or statistics as prerequisites.
Chamberlain’s Online RN to BSN has no courses that are required prior to enrollment.
Methodist’s Online RN-BSN has embedded applied statistics into core RN-BSN courses.

Considering Christian schools? Be aware that some will have Religion as a prerequisite or a mandatory General Education course (e.g. USF’s Christianity in the Modern World).

Are There Any “No Clinicals Required” Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois?

It depends on what you mean by “clinicals.” Online RN to BSN programs don’t include a lot of standard hospital training—you will have already covered those skills in your associate degree or diploma.

Instead, Online RN to BSN programs in Illinois will contain practicums & fieldwork, particularly in courses for Community Health/Public Health Nursing and Nursing Leadership. For example:

Benedictine’s Online RN to BSN includes 70 hours of clinical practice experience at a healthcare facility in your community.
ONU’s Online RN-BSN contains 60 practicum hours with an approved, self-selected preceptor in your local area.

Sometimes you’ll be able to tackle practicums at your place of employment; sometimes you’ll need to visit another site. Ask the RN to BSN program coordinator for details.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Illinois?

Yes. These pathways will allow you to earn a BSN and an MSN in a shortened time-frame. If you need a BSN for employment purposes, but you’re already considering graduate work, they are well-worth a look.

Chamberlain’s Online RN-BSN to MSN: RNs are able to complete their BSN degree while enrolled in the MSN program, taking selected MSN courses in place of two required BSN nursing courses.

In fact, you’ll notice that a number of Illinois Online RN to BSN programs will allow you to substitute MSN-level credits for BSN-level credits. Examples include:

SIUE’s Accelerated Online RN to BS: RNs who are eligible for graduate options may replace 7 credits of nursing undergraduate courses with nursing graduate courses.
Benedictine’s Online RN to BSN: Completion of certain BSN courses with a grade of “B” or better will allow students to waive enrollment in certain MSN courses.

Do Illinois Universities Have RN to BSN Agreements with Community Colleges?

Yes. Illinois universities often provide easy transfers & benefits to community college nursing students. Examples include:

ISU’s Pathways Program: Students enrolled in an ADN program at a partner community college can receive dual admission into the Online RN to BSN.
SIUE’s Community College Partnerships: Scholarships are available to qualified, current community college students and alumni who enroll in the partnership program with SIUE.
USF’s Joliet Junior College Partnership: Seamless transfers & tuition discounts are offered to RNs in the bridge program.

Illinois RN to BSN Online Schools

20 Schools Found

Benedictine University

Department of Nursing and Health

Lisle, Illinois

RN to BSN

Offered Online

Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois

1. University of Illinois at Chicago

2. Olivet Nazarene University

3. Northern Illinois University

4. Illinois State University

5. University of St. Francis

1. Eastern Illinois University

2. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

RN to BSN Scholarships in Illinois

Statewide Scholarships for Illinois RN to BSN Students

Illinois Nursing Organization Scholarships

Illinois Community Foundation Scholarships

Illinois Healthcare System & University Partnerships

University Scholarships for Illinois RN to BSN Students

Benedictine University

Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Chamberlain University

Dominican University

Eastern Illinois University

Governors State University

Illinois State University

McKendree University

Methodist College

Millikin University

Northern Illinois University

Olivet Nazarene University

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

St. John’s College

Trinity College of Nursing & Health

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of St. Francis

Western Illinois University

RN to BSN Requirements in Illinois

Illinois Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs

Are There Any 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois?

Do I Need to Have Statistics to Apply for Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois?

Are There Any “No Clinicals Required” Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois?

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Illinois?

Do Illinois Universities Have RN to BSN Agreements with Community Colleges?