Illinois's long-term care facilities and home health agencies are drawing more heavily on LPNs than at any point in the past decade, filling gaps left by RN shortages in nursing homes and outpatient clinics across Cook County and downstate alike. That demand has not simplified the choice facing prospective students, though. Program quality varies sharply between community colleges and private career schools, and tuition swings from a few thousand dollars to well over $20,000 for functionally similar credentials.
Our ranking weighs first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates as the primary signal of program quality, with accreditation status and completion rates as supporting factors.
The practical reality: a cheaper or faster program only pays off if its graduates actually pass boards and get licensed on schedule.
Illinois's Top LPN Programs Ranked by NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
Every Illinois LPN candidate has to get past the NCLEX-PN, and the programs in this section are the ones whose graduates have the strongest record of doing exactly that. Several pair that exam performance with in-district pricing, small cohorts, and a clear route into RN study. Pass rates move from year to year and colleges publish them on their own schedules, so read any single number as a snapshot rather than a guarantee.
How we ranked these
- Graduation rate carries the most weight
- Retention and completion rates
- First-time NCLEX-PN pass rates
- Accreditation and program approval status
- Net price and program length
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Southeastern Illinois College
Southeastern Illinois College runs the anchor practical nursing program for a wide stretch of southern Illinois from its Harrisburg campus. The certificate folds pediatrics and obstetrics in alongside nursing arts, anatomy, pharmacology, and medical-surgical nursing, with a traditional full-time track and a part-time option both starting each fall. Admission preference goes to residents inside the college district, which makes it a realistic target for local applicants who want to train close to home. Graduates leave prepared for the NCLEX-PN and for entry-level roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care.
- On-campus practical nursing certificate with pediatrics and obstetrics coursework
- Full-time traditional track and a part-time option, both starting in fall
- Approved by the Illinois Community College Board, IBHE, and IDFPR
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam
- One start date per year; limited at-large seats
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Illinois Valley Community College
Illinois Valley Community College's licensed practical nursing certificate is built to be finished in three semesters, about twelve months, in Oglesby. Students train in small classes with one-on-one faculty attention and complete clinical placements at sites inside the college district. General education courses are available online, and graduates can continue into the RN program with one additional year of study. Tuition runs well below state university rates, and the college points to scholarship support and a strong recent licensure pass rate.
- 12-month certificate completed across three semesters
- HESI A2 entrance exam required before admission
- Fall start with a March 1 application deadline
- Clinical placements within the IVCC district
- General education courses available online
- Option to continue into the RN program in one additional year
- No room and board costs; scholarships available
- Smaller class sizes with one-on-one attention
Licensed Practical Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
William Rainey Harper College
Harper College's practical nursing certificate is ACEN accredited, 38 credits, and anchored by a simulated hospital lab that lets students practice hands-on skills before they reach real patients. Cohorts are small and admission is limited, and applicants must already be working CNAs listed on the state health care worker registry. The certificate stacks into the college's nursing associate degree, so graduates can keep moving toward RN licensure without starting over. Fall and spring start dates give applicants more than one shot at a seat.
- ACEN accredited; 38 total credit hours
- Fall and spring start dates, two per year
- Completed CNA status on the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry required
- State-of-the-art simulated hospital lab
- Stackable into the Nursing AAS degree
- Prerequisite courses required before the nursing sequence
- Limited-enrollment cohorts
- Career options in long-term care, schools, hospitals, and medical offices
Practical Nursing (PN) Certificate — On-Campus
John Wood Community College
John Wood Community College in Quincy delivers a practical nurse certificate that blends classroom instruction, lab practice, and supervised clinical rotations at hospitals and care facilities across the region. The college is pursuing ACEN nursing accreditation and has built the curriculum to satisfy Illinois licensing requirements. Students train on current patient care equipment, and the program keeps a career focus with job placement support and regional employer ties, including Blessing Hospital. Scholarships, among them rural health programs, help offset the cost.
- Classroom, lab, and supervised clinical training
- Clinical rotations at area hospitals and care facilities
- Curriculum built to meet Illinois licensing requirements
- Scholarships for health professions and rural health programs
- Training on current patient care equipment
- Regional employers include Blessing Hospital
Practical Nurse Certificate — On-Campus
John A Logan College
John A. Logan College delivers a full-time practical nursing certificate across two semesters of classroom theory, lab, and clinical practice in Carterville. The 36.5-credit curriculum covers fundamentals, pharmacology, mental health, maternal and newborn care, pediatrics, and adult medical-surgical nursing, all taught face to face during the day. The college reports a 100 percent NCLEX-PN pass rate for 2025 graduates and charges no application fee. Financial aid and scholarships are available to help cover costs.
- Two-semester, 36.5-credit certificate starting each August
- TEAS entrance exam required; no application fee
- Traditional face-to-face daytime instruction
- CPR certification required before clinical rotations
- Covers pharmacology, mental health, maternal/newborn, pediatric, and adult med-surg nursing
- Approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation and ICCB
- Financial aid and scholarships available
Practical Nursing Full-Time Program, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Kankakee Community College
Kankakee Community College's practical nursing certificate is a one-year, 38-credit program that pairs nursing coursework with general education across a fall-to-summer sequence. It holds ACEN accreditation and approval from the Illinois State Board of Nursing. Entry requirements are strict: a physical exam, criminal background check, drug screen, and current CPR certification all have to be in place before classes begin. Advisors walk students through each requirement, and the college reports strong job placement for graduates.
- One-year, 38-credit certificate
- HESI entrance exam required
- Fall-to-summer course sequence
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Illinois State Board of Nursing
- Physical exam, background check, drug screen, and CPR certification required before entry
- Grade of C or better required in nursing courses
- Person-centered, evidence-based care focus
- Advisors help students clear entry requirements
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
CALC Institute of Technology
CALC Institute of Technology in Alton runs a 15-month practical nursing program built for students who want to move quickly and keep earning while they study. There are no general education courses or prerequisites, and classes meet Monday through Thursday so students can pick up weekend shifts. Clinical experience is threaded through the curriculum, and small classes give students one-on-one attention from instructors. The college cites a median earnings figure of $62,340 for program graduates.
- 15-month program across four 15-week terms and one 5-week term
- No general education courses or prerequisites required
- Monday through Thursday classes; students can work weekends
- HESI entrance exam and two letters of recommendation required
- Clinical experience integrated throughout the curriculum
- Small classes with one-on-one attention
- Campus-based program in Alton, Illinois
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Lake Land College
Lake Land College's practical nursing certificate spans three semesters and 41 credits, mixing classroom work with lab and clinical assignments at area healthcare agencies. The program is ACEN accredited and approved by the Illinois IDFPR, and admission is competitive with a March 1 deadline. Students can also enroll at the college's Kluthe Campus in Effingham. Progression requires a C or better in every nursing course, plus a drug screen and CPR certification before clinical placement.
- Three-semester, 41-credit certificate
- ACEN accredited and approved by Illinois IDFPR
- Clinical experience at area healthcare agencies
- Competitive admission with a March 1 deadline
- Second location at the Kluthe Campus in Effingham
- C or better required in all nursing courses
- Drug screen and CPR certification required before clinical
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Joliet Junior College
Joliet Junior College offers a two-semester practical nurse certificate that sits inside the traditional RN curriculum, so students who finish it can continue into the final two semesters of the nursing program without losing ground. Simulation labs and clinical rotations in community settings give students practice before licensure. Admission is selective, and students must complete a physical exam, immunizations, a background check, and a drug screen before clinical placement. The college positions the certificate as an affordable on-ramp into nursing that also leads toward a bachelor's degree.
- Two-semester certificate integrated with the RN curriculum
- Continues into the final two semesters of the nursing program
- State-of-the-art simulation labs
- Clinical rotations in community health care settings
- Selective admissions process
- Physical exam, immunizations, background check, and drug screen required
- Seamless transition toward a bachelor's degree
Practical Nurse (P.N.), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Heartland Community College
Heartland Community College runs a one-year practical nursing certificate sequence out of Normal, starting in summer or fall. Applicants must already be CNAs or medical assistant graduates, which keeps the cohort clinically prepared from day one. Clinicals take place at Bloomington-Normal hospitals, with some travel to Lincoln, Peoria, Pontiac, and Springfield. The practical nursing option also works as a career ladder inside the college's nursing associate degree, and applications are accepted from October through March with no waiting list.
- One-year certificate sequence starting summer or fall
- Open to CNAs and medical assistant graduates
- Clinicals at Bloomington-Normal hospitals
- Some clinical travel to Lincoln, Peoria, Pontiac, and Springfield
- Applications accepted October through March; no waiting list
- Must test into college-level math
- Financial aid and scholarships available
- Practical nursing option built into the nursing AAS career ladder
Practical Nursing Certificate Sequence — On-Campus
What It Actually Costs: Illinois's Most Affordable LPN Programs
Community college LPN certificates in Illinois typically run a fraction of what private nursing schools charge, often landing well under $5,000 in net price after financial aid. The five programs below represent the lowest cost options based on institution-wide net price data from the U.S. Department of Education (2024). Keep in mind that the net price figures shown are campus-wide averages for aid-receiving students, not a guaranteed quote for any individual nursing student. Your actual out-of-pocket cost will depend on the aid package you receive and any program-specific fees.
| School | City | In-State Tuition | Net Price After Aid | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Valley Community College | Oglesby | $4,200 | $2,232 | On campus, 12 months |
| Lake Land College | Mattoon | $4,415 | $2,254 | On campus, 3 semesters |
| Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg | $5,390 | $3,662 | On campus, 1 year |
| Richland Community College | Decatur | $4,680 | $3,741 | On campus, 1 year |
| Shawnee Community College | Ullin | $4,650 | $4,162 | On campus, 1 year (full-time and part-time options) |
Accelerated and Short-Duration LPN Programs in Illinois
If you want to start working as an LPN as quickly as possible, several Illinois schools offer programs that can be completed in as few as nine months. These accelerated tracks compress the same clinical and classroom hours into a shorter calendar, which typically means heavier weekly course loads (expect 30 to 40 or more hours per week of class, lab, and clinical time). Below are five of the fastest options verified for the current academic year.
| School | Location | Program Length (Full-Time) | Part-Time Option | Evening or Weekend Scheduling | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John A. Logan College | Carterville | 9 months | Yes (16 months) | Evening track available (5:00 PM to 10:00 PM) | Full-time daytime track runs 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; part-time evening track may include weekend clinicals |
| Capital Area School of Practical Nursing | Springfield | 9 months | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | One of the shortest LPN programs in the state; ideal for students who can commit to an intensive daytime schedule |
| Illinois Valley Community College | Oglesby | 12 months (3 semesters) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate; clinical sites located within the IVCC district; fall start with March application deadline |
| Heartland Community College | Normal | 12 months | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Runs across two consecutive semesters plus summer; requires CNA or MA credential for admission; clinicals in Bloomington, Normal, and surrounding areas |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield | 12 months | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | ACEN accredited; offered at Springfield, Jacksonville, and Hillsboro locations; 94% NCLEX-PN pass rate |
Explore other Illinois related topics
Related Articles
Your Path to an LPN License in Illinois
Illinois issues single-state LPN licenses through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The state is not currently part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so your Illinois LPN credential authorizes practice within Illinois only. Total initial fees run roughly $300, covering the application, background check, and NCLEX-PN exam registration.
Illinois LPN Licensure and NCLEX-PN Requirements Explained
What does it actually take to turn a completed practical nursing program into an active LPN license in Illinois? The process runs through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), and it involves several sequential steps that catch new graduates off guard if they wait until after graduation to start.
Applying Through IDFPR
Once you finish an approved practical nursing program, you submit a licensure application to IDFPR along with the required fee and a fingerprint-based criminal background check. IDFPR uses the fingerprint results to confirm eligibility before authorizing you to sit for the licensing exam. Processing timelines vary depending on application volume, but building in several weeks of buffer between graduation and your target start date is a reasonable expectation. Any gaps in your background check paperwork or fingerprinting appointment will push that timeline further out, so schedule fingerprinting as early as your program allows.
Scheduling and Sitting for the NCLEX-PN
Once IDFPR clears you to test, you register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE, pay the exam fee, and select a testing location and date. Test day requires valid photo identification matching your registration exactly, and the exam uses computerized adaptive testing, meaning the number of questions and length of your session can vary based on your performance. Arrive early, since testing centers generally deny entry to latecomers.
Illinois and the Nurse Licensure Compact
Illinois has not implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact for practical nurses. Legislation has been introduced, but as of 2026 Illinois is not issuing multistate LPN licenses, and the state remains outside the compact for practical nursing purposes. That means an Illinois LPN license is valid for practice in Illinois only. LPNs licensed in compact states who want to practice in Illinois must apply for licensure by endorsement rather than relying on compact privileges, and the reverse is true for Illinois LPNs hoping to work elsewhere.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Illinois LPN licenses operate on a renewal cycle set by IDFPR, and renewal requires completing LPN Continuing Education Units within that cycle. Track your CE completion throughout the renewal period rather than scrambling near the deadline.
Can You Take LPN Classes Online in Illinois
Many Illinois programs offer Hybrid LPN Programs where lecture and theory coursework happens online, but clinical training still requires in-person hours at a healthcare facility under direct supervision. No approved pathway substitutes virtual simulation entirely for hands-on clinical time.
LPN Earnings Across Illinois: Chicago, Suburbs, and Downstate
LPN pay in Illinois is not one number. It is a range that shifts by region, employer type, shift differential, and years on the job, not a single number. Instead, here is how to pull the real numbers for your specific metro area in about ten minutes.
Use the BLS Wage Lookup Tool Directly
Go to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) tool and search occupation code 29-2061, which covers Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. From there:
- Pick your geography: Select Illinois, then narrow to a specific metro area such as Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Springfield, Peoria, or Rockford.
- Read three numbers: the median annual wage, the 10th percentile (entry-level or part-time pay), and the 90th percentile (experienced, high-demand settings).
- Check total employment: this tells you how many LPNs actually work in that area, a useful proxy for job availability.
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is the most reliably reported Illinois metro in current BLS data, with a median annual wage of roughly $67,670 and nearly 13,000 LPNs employed there, a key data point if you're comparing Best LPN Programs in Chicago 2026. Smaller metros and downstate regions are not always broken out with the same level of detail, so if your target area shows gaps, fall back to the statewide Illinois figure or the nonmetropolitan Illinois category rather than assuming no data exists.
Cross-Check With Other Sources
Don't stop at one tool. The Illinois Department of Employment Security publishes its own wage reports by region, and O*NET OnLine and CareerOneStop both mirror BLS data with easier-to-read summaries. Local workforce development boards often add hiring context that raw wage tables miss.
Ask the People Hiring LPNs
Program websites frequently post starting-salary ranges reported by their own graduates, and organizations like the Illinois Nurses Association and the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses periodically run salary surveys with more granular, practice-specific detail than government averages provide.
Paying for Your LPN Education: Financial Aid and Scholarships
You can fund an LPN education through grants and loans that reduce the overall Cost of LPN Programs & Schools, or through employer tuition assistance that covers the bill in exchange for a work commitment after you graduate. Grants keep your job options open; employer aid can sharply cut debt if you are willing to stay with one Illinois health system.
Illinois State Aid: MAP and More
The Illinois Monetary Award Program, or MAP, can help cover credit-bearing certificate programs at approved Illinois colleges if you enroll in at least 3 credit hours per term.1 For the 2025-2026 cycle, MAP awards ranged from $300 to $8,064 depending on financial need and tuition.2 Not every certificate-only LPN program is automatically MAP-eligible, so confirm with the program's financial aid office before you enroll. In that cycle, MAP announcements were suspended for students whose FAFSA or Alternative Application was received after June 5, 2025.3
The Illinois Nurse Educator Fellowship Program is a different resource: it awards up to $10,000 to nursing faculty, not to LPN students.4 If you later earn a master's in nursing and teach pre-licensure students, this may become relevant.
Federal Options and Loan Repayment
Pell Grants are need-based and can reduce what you must borrow. Stafford Loans remain the standard federal borrowing option when grants fall short. HRSA's Nurse Corps Scholarship targets students accepted or enrolled full-time in an accredited nursing degree program, with a class start before September 30, 20265, but current guidance leans toward RN and APRN degree pathways, so LPN certificate eligibility is limited.6 HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment is built around RN, APRN, and nurse faculty roles7, repaying 60% of qualifying loans over a two-year full-time service commitment at an eligible facility.8
Employer-Sponsored Tuition
Some Illinois healthcare systems offer tuition reimbursement or direct tuition assistance, though program terms vary by employer and hiring cycle. Ask whether the benefit is upfront or reimbursed after grades post, and whether you must commit to one or two years of employment after licensure in a Working as a Licensed Practical Nurse role. Several community college LPN programs in Illinois are credit-bearing and financial-aid eligible, which keeps out-of-pocket costs lower than many private programs.
LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs in Illinois
An LPN credential is a start, but an RN license offers more career options, with higher pay and broader clinical authority.
What Bridge Programs Offer
Illinois LPN to RN bridge programs compress the traditional nursing curriculum by recognizing what you already know. Instead of starting from scratch alongside students who have never taken vitals or hung an IV bag, you enter an accelerated track that builds on your pharmacology, fundamentals, and clinical hours. Illinois colleges offer two main pathways:
- LPN-to-ADN: Leads to an Associate Degree in Nursing. Most programs run 12 to 18 months of full-time study beyond your practical nursing certificate.
- LPN-to-BSN: Leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Expect roughly two years of additional coursework, though some programs offer online didactics that let you keep working part-time.
Both tracks culminate in eligibility for the NCLEX-RN, the registered nurse licensing exam. This is a different test from the NCLEX-PN you passed as an LPN, with a broader scope covering delegation, care coordination, and management responsibilities.
Choosing the Right Fit
Community colleges across Illinois, from the Chicago area to downstate campuses, offer ADN bridge options with lower tuition. Four-year universities and some private colleges provide BSN pathways for nurses who want a bachelor's degree without completing a separate RN-to-BSN program later. Admission typically requires an active Illinois LPN license, a minimum GPA in prerequisite sciences, and sometimes a year of clinical work experience.
If advancing your nursing career is on your radar, explore our Choosing the Right LPN/LVN Bridge Program guide for a deeper look at curriculum timelines, costs, and application requirements across the state.
How We Ranked Illinois's LPN Programs
Rankings of nursing programs have drawn sharper scrutiny in the past two years, with state boards and accreditors pushing publishers to disclose exactly what goes into a score. Here is how ours works, in plain terms.
The Core Metric: NCLEX-PN Pass Rates
Roughly three-quarters of each program's composite score comes from its first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate, drawn from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's published board reports. We use the most recent three years of data and weight each year by the number of test-takers, so a program that graduated 60 candidates carries more statistical weight than one that graduated 8. This smooths out the year-to-year swings that small cohorts produce and rewards programs with consistent, repeatable results rather than a single strong class.
Supporting Factors
The remaining quarter of the score reflects two things:
- Accreditation: Programs holding ACEN accreditation (or an equivalent recognized body) receive full credit. Approval by the Illinois Board of Nursing is a prerequisite for inclusion but does not by itself earn bonus points.
- Institutional completion and retention: We pull institution-wide completion and retention figures from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard as a proxy for how well the school supports students through to graduation.
What This Ranking Does Not Measure
Be honest with yourself about the gaps. Our score does not capture clinical rotation quality, the strength of faculty mentoring, student satisfaction, or program-specific job placement rates. Those data points are either unmeasured, self-reported without audit, or simply not published at the program level in Illinois. Use the ranking as a starting filter, then visit campuses and talk to recent graduates before you commit.
More LPN Programs to Consider Across Illinois
Illinois offers far more state-approved practical nursing programs than any ranked list can hold. The directory below covers additional LPN and practical nursing options from the Chicago area down to southern Illinois, grouped by region so you can look for a program close to home, one that fits a part-time schedule, or one with a clear bridge into an RN pathway.
Chicago Area
- Licensed Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing, Advanced Certificate
Northern Illinois
- Practical Nursing
Central Illinois
- Practical Nursing Certificate
- Practical Nursing Certificate
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Practical Nurse
Western Illinois
- Practical Nursing Certificate LPN
- Practical Nursing
Southern Illinois
- Practical Nursing
