Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois

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: 16 Months (Cohort-Based)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

UIC’s 100% Online RN to BSN ticks our #1 box for a number of reasons. It’s cohort-based, which means you’ll have a chance to build a professional network and share strategies during each 8-week course. 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.

2. Illinois State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 5 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

ISU’s 100% Online RN to BSN runs a close second to UIC—even the total tuition price is similar! We love the fact that the Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) has sturdy NCLEX pass rates, tons of nursing scholarships and awards, cheerful student reviews, and a strong alumni network. MCN even has a special Advocate Aurora Health Partnership with tuition reimbursement for employees. This convenient program is offered on a full-time or part-time schedule and RNs are admitted on a rolling basis. The cherry on the top? Statistics is not required for admission.

3. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

• Program: Accelerated RN to BS (Online)
• RN to BSN Credits: 22+
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 4+ Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

Looking for affordability? Look no further than SIUE’s 100% Online Accelerated RN to BS. In-state & out-of-state tuition rates are the same; courses are only 8 weeks in length; and students are admitted on a rolling basis. The School of Nursing has a number of corporate partnerships and community college partnerships, including tuition reimbursements with healthcare systems (e.g. Anderson, HSHS, etc.). You’ll notice that this program has a low number of required nursing credits. If you need to add General Education courses, you can take them at SIUE or a local community college.

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. 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

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.

2. Eastern Illinois University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 35
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

There are two tuition rates for EIU’s 100% Online RN to BSN. Students in non-partner healthcare facilities pay $1,000 more than students who work in partner facilities. We’ve estimated the cost based on the 35-credit minimum (32 hours of nursing core coursework + 3 hours for the Senior Seminar). If you need to complete any additional prerequisites, the price will obviously go up.

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 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

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, Benedictine, Elmshurst, and NPU require Online RN to BSN candidates to have a valid Illinois RN license.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 (e.g. Dominican, NPU, USF, etc.); 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.
• Elmshurst’s Online RN to BSN Degree Completion Program contains two courses that require a clinical project at a local site.

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.