Online Nursing Programs in Illinois
Compare online and hybrid nursing pathways for Illinois students, from entry-level options to RN-to-BSN and graduate degrees. Use this guide to narrow your choices, then confirm current admissions, clinical placement, accreditation, and licensure details directly with each school.
Finding the right nursing path in Illinois
Illinois students can explore online and hybrid nursing programs designed for different starting points, schedules, and career goals. Some programs deliver most coursework online, while clinical training and certain assessments may still require in-person participation.
Use this guide to compare common degree pathways and featured schools. Before applying, verify the program’s current format, admissions requirements, clinical arrangements, accreditation, and eligibility for Illinois licensure.
Nursing degree options in Illinois
Explore practical nursing and associate-degree routes designed for students preparing to enter nursing. Confirm prelicensure, clinical, and Illinois eligibility requirements with each program.
Compare traditional and accelerated bachelor’s pathways. Accelerated programs commonly require a prior degree or specific prerequisites, and both routes include in-person clinical learning.
Degree-completion pathways build on an active RN license. Delivery format, transfer-credit policies, and practicum expectations vary, so compare current requirements directly.
Graduate pathways may prepare nurses for advanced clinical, education, leadership, or research roles. Verify specialty availability and current Illinois practice requirements before applying.
Featured Illinois nursing schools
Use these featured listings as a starting point. Program formats, admissions requirements, and available degrees can change, so confirm current details directly with each institution.
University of Illinois Chicago, College of Nursing
Chicago and regional, Illinois
Rush University, College of Nursing
Chicago, Illinois
Loyola University Chicago, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing
Chicago and Maywood, Illinois
Illinois State University, Mennonite College of Nursing
Normal, Illinois
DePaul University, School of Nursing
Chicago, Illinois
Degree counts come from the US Department of Education College Scorecard (nursing CIP 51.38). Program availability, delivery format, and admissions requirements change, so confirm current details directly with each school before applying.
Planning for clinical requirements
Most nursing programs include supervised clinical experience in approved healthcare settings. Even when coursework is online, students may need to complete clinical hours, skills assessments, or other requirements in person.
- Ask how the school arranges or approves clinical placements
- Confirm whether travel or schedule flexibility will be required
- Understand all clinical, background-check, vaccination, and documentation requirements before enrolling
Frequently asked questions
Some programs deliver academic coursework online, but prelicensure and advanced clinical programs generally include in-person clinical or skills requirements. Ask each school exactly which portions can be completed remotely.
Check the program’s website and confirm its current status directly with the named accrediting organization. Also verify that the institution is recognized by the appropriate authorities.
Eligibility depends on the program, your nursing pathway, and current Illinois requirements. Confirm eligibility with the school and the Illinois Board of Nursing before enrolling.
Not sure which nursing degree fits your goals?
Compare common nursing pathways before choosing schools to research.