How do Illinois LPNs move to an RN license without repeating years of bedside education? The shortest route is an LPN bridge program, which applies your existing clinical hours and coursework toward an ADN or BSN. In Illinois, 15 programs now compete for working LPNs, and first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates separate the programs that reliably produce licensed RNs from those that leave graduates stuck at the exam stage.
That distinction shapes everything: an LPN-to-ADN bridge may get you to the NCLEX in roughly three semesters, while an LPN-to-BSN adds time and cost but builds toward roles in hospital systems that increasingly require a bachelor's degree. Tuition, online coursework, and prerequisite cutoffs vary enough that the right program depends on whether speed, cost, or long-term mobility matters more.
Top Illinois LPN to RN/BSN Programs Ranked by NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
NCLEX-RN performance is the clearest signal of whether a bridge program will actually get you licensed, so it sits at the front of how these Illinois schools are ordered. Every card below combines licensure results with the practical details that matter to working LPNs, including format, admission requirements, and who each program is built to serve.
How we ranked these
- Graduation and completion rates
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Program accreditation standing
- Net price and total cost
- Format and scheduling flexibility
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
Southeastern Illinois College
Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg moves licensed practical nurses into an associate degree nursing track in two semesters. Cohorts are deliberately small, with about 30 applicants accepted each fall, and the curriculum is organized around QSEN competencies and the Neuman Systems model. Clinical placements take place in community healthcare facilities, and the program holds ACEN accreditation. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and work in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings.
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), LPN to RN Bridge — On-Campus
McHenry County College
McHenry County College in Crystal Lake serves LPNs through a campus-based bridge into an Associate in Applied Science in nursing. Bridge students receive advanced standing credit for holding an Illinois LPN license and complete a transition course before entering the main RN track. Admission requires CNA certification, a 2.5 prerequisite GPA, and TEAS testing, and clinical placements stay within McHenry County. The program is ACEN accredited.
LPN to RN Bridge Program, Associates — On-Campus
John A Logan College
John A. Logan College in Carterville is a long-standing southern Illinois option for LPNs moving into registered nursing. Its associate degree nursing program runs full time on campus and covers 65 credit hours, layering anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology onto the LPN's existing clinical background. Applicants need an active, unencumbered Illinois LPN license plus a pre-entrance exam and the ASSET Test. The program holds continuing ACEN accreditation and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN.
Nursing (ADN), Full-Time Program, A.A.S., LPN to RN bridge — On-Campus
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences in Rock Island offers one of the few bachelor's-level bridges in Illinois, admitting LPNs into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through an advanced standing pathway. Students can test out of material with the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Examination and finish in five, six, or eight semesters on a full-time or part-time schedule. Classes are in person with patient contact beginning in the first semester, and rolling admissions mean multiple entry points across the year. Graduates are prepared for RN roles in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Licensed Practical Nurse Advanced Standing — On-Campus
Shawnee Community College
Shawnee Community College in Ullin takes a career mobility approach, counting 20 LPN program hours toward a minimum 64-credit associate degree nursing program. Students choose a full-time cohort or a part-time track that stretches over two years, which helps working nurses keep their jobs while they study. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA and TEAS testing, and the program is ACEN accredited. Graduates are eligible for licensure in Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky, and the degree transfers into several BSN programs.
Associate Degree Nursing, Bridge/Transition — On-Campus
Lake Land College
Lake Land College in Mattoon runs a hybrid LPN to ADN bridge that working nurses can finish in as little as 11 months. On-campus classes are paired with sessions at the new Effingham Technology Center, and the program starts twice a year in fall and spring. It is a special admission track, so applicants apply to the college and then separately to nursing. The college has been preparing nurses for more than 30 years.
LPN to ADN Bridge — Hybrid
Kankakee Community College
Kankakee Community College's registered nursing advanced placement track lets LPNs skip material they already know and move into upper-level coursework. The 63-credit program mixes classroom study with supervised clinicals and covers adult and child nursing, clinical pharmacology, and nursing seminars. Entry points are available in fall and spring, and the program is ACEN accredited and approved by the Illinois State Board of Nursing. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN, and the college reports strong job placement results.
Registered Nursing - Advanced Placement, LPN to RN, Associates — On-Campus
John Wood Community College
John Wood Community College in Quincy offers a one-year LPN to RN bridge for nurses who want to move up quickly. Admission is selective and requires a 2.7 GPA, science prerequisites, an active LPN license, and recent work experience, with HESI A2 testing offered on campus. Classes start in fall and spring, and the curriculum runs from fundamentals and pharmacology through complex care, with clinical placements in hospitals and community agencies. A BSN is possible in one additional year.
Registered Nurse (RN), LPN Registered Nurse (RN), Associates — Hybrid
Kaskaskia College
Kaskaskia College in Centralia uses a dedicated bridge course, built for currently practicing LPNs, as the gateway into its associate degree nursing program. Students who complete the bridge enter the ADN sequence in the third semester, with onsite clinicals built into the course. Prerequisites include biology and psychology coursework plus college English and math, and all applicants take the TEAS exam. The program holds ACEN accreditation and offers multiple terms with late-start options for working nurses.
LPN-RN Bridge, Associates — On-Campus
Richland Community College
Richland Community College in Decatur runs an LPN bridge with spring and fall starts for licensed practical nurses moving toward RN credentials. Admission is selective and competitive because clinical seats are limited, and applicants must complete prerequisites with at least a C and hold a current BLS CPR card before clinicals. Application deadlines fall on September 1 and February 1. The program is clinical-heavy and built around the schedule of working nurses.
LPN Bridge, Associates — On-Campus
How We Ranked Illinois LPN Bridge Programs
Ranking an LPN to RN Bridge Program comes down to one question above all others: does it actually get you licensed? So NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate carries roughly 75% of the weight in our composite score, pulled from Illinois Board of Nursing reporting across the three most recent years and weighted by how many candidates each program actually tested, not a simple year-to-year average that lets a single small cohort skew the picture.
Why Pass Rates Anchor the List
Illinois requires programs to keep first-time pass rates at or above 75%. Fall below that once and a program gets a written warning; two consecutive years under threshold triggers a site visit and possible probation. That regulatory bar is exactly why we lean on it so heavily. A program posting 95%+ two years running (like John A. Logan College) signals something structurally different from one recovering from a rough stretch (Triton College's climb from the 40s to 79%).
Secondary Factors
Accreditation status through ACEN or CCNE (Accredited LPN and RN Programs), plus institution-level completion and retention rates, make up the remaining share of the score. These act as stability checks alongside pass rates.
What We're Being Upfront About
Most ranking lists in this space don't explain their criteria at all. We think that's a disservice to students choosing between programs with real cost and time tradeoffs. We're also transparent about limitations: graduation rate figures reflect the whole institution, not the LPN Bridge Programs track specifically, and net price averages are conditioned by sector (community college versus private university) rather than program-exact.
LPN to ADN vs. LPN to BSN: Which Bridge Path Fits You?
Illinois LPNs have two distinct bridge routes to RN licensure, and the right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and long-term career goals. An LPN-to-ADN bridge gets you to the NCLEX-RN faster and at a lower cost, while an LPN-to-BSN path positions you for Magnet hospitals, leadership roles, and graduate school from day one.
Illinois LPN Bridge Program Costs Compared
Every program below is offered by a public community college, so cost comparisons rely on public-institution net price figures from IPEDS and College Scorecard (2024), sorted from lowest to highest net price. Illinois Valley Community College and Lake Land College are the cheapest LPN to RN bridge options here, each averaging roughly $2,200 to $2,300 per year after grants and scholarships, and Moraine Valley Community College offers the lowest in-state sticker price at $3,822. Treat these as planning benchmarks rather than quotes. Net price is a college-wide average for aided students, not a guaranteed per-student cost, and tuition reflects annual institution-wide rates rather than the specific price of each bridge program.
| School | Location | Sector | Annual In-State Tuition & Fees | Annual Out-of-State Tuition & Fees | Average Net Price After Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Valley Community College | Oglesby, IL | Public | $4,200 | $16,385 | $2,232 |
| Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | Public | $4,415 | $14,301 | $2,254 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL | Public | $3,822 | $9,846 | $2,829 |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | Public | $4,340 | $7,840 | $3,349 |
| Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg, IL | Public | $5,390 | $8,900 | $3,662 |
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | Public | $4,680 | $17,070 | $3,741 |
| Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL | Public | $4,650 | $7,500 | $4,162 |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | Public | $3,744 | $10,464 | $4,299 |
| Kankakee Community College | Kankakee, IL | Public | $5,220 | $25,830 | $4,665 |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | Public | $4,176 | $11,064 | $4,738 |
| Morton College | Cicero, IL | Public | $5,502 | $12,414 | $5,191 |
| John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | Public | $4,630 | $7,540 | $5,541 |
| Highland Community College | Freeport, IL | Public | $4,936 | $7,360 | $5,713 |
| Kaskaskia College | Centralia, IL | Public | $4,800 | $12,570 | $6,477 |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | Public | $4,162 | $14,399 | $7,042 |
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Online, Hybrid, and On-Campus LPN Bridge Options in Illinois
Zero fully online LPN-to-RN or LPN-to-BSN programs exist in Illinois as of 2026. Every bridge pathway requires in-person clinical hours at approved healthcare facilities, even when coursework is delivered remotely. Understanding which format each program uses helps working LPNs plan schedules around job and family commitments , a key step in Choosing the Right LPN/LVN Bridge Program.
Hybrid Programs: Online Theory, On-Site Skills
Most Illinois bridge programs operate on a hybrid model, combining online or evening lectures with mandatory campus labs and local clinical rotations. This structure lets LPNs complete didactic content on their own time while still meeting hands-on training requirements.
- Methodist College (Peoria): Hybrid LPN-to-BSN with weekday nursing courses online and weekend in-person sessions for labs and clinicals in the Peoria area.
- St. John's College of Nursing (Springfield): Hybrid LPN-to-BSN requiring 500 to 600 hours of direct clinical experience at HSHS hospitals and community sites.
- Parkland College (Champaign): Hybrid LPN-to-ADN with online coursework and clinical placements at Carle and OSF facilities.
- Joliet Junior College: Hybrid LPN-to-RN blending traditional classroom instruction with high-fidelity simulation and community health clinicals.
- Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield): Hybrid LPN-to-ADN spanning about 2.6 semesters.
Campus-Based and Online-Labeled Programs
Several colleges list their programs as campus-based or online, yet all still mandate on-site clinical components. Carl Sandburg College and Sauk Valley Community College, for instance, describe online summer prerequisites and flexible coursework, but students must complete supervised clinical hours locally. Under HB1807, which took effect September 1, 2026, simulation supplements but does not replace direct patient care, reinforcing the in-person requirement across the state.
Before enrolling, confirm each school's clinical site locations and scheduling expectations. Programs vary widely in how they distribute lab days, weekend obligations, and weeknight commitments across LPN programs in Illinois.
Admission Requirements and Prerequisites for Illinois LPN Bridge Programs
Illinois LPN bridge programs share a core admission profile (active unencumbered LPN license, prerequisite coursework at C or better, and an entrance exam) but the specific cutoffs vary widely enough that a student competitive at one school may be shut out of another.
Entrance Exam Cutoffs
TEAS minimums are not uniform, so How to Prepare for Your LPN/LVN Program Entrance Exam is worth consulting. Carl Sandburg College accepts a TEAS composite of 55, or alternatively an ACT of 21 or SAT of 960, and applicants need at least four admission points to move forward in the selection review. Joliet Junior College sets a higher floor at TEAS 60, with 82 or above guaranteeing a seat, and the exam must be taken in person on campus. Saint Xavier University requires the ATI TEAS at the proficient level (58.7 percent) and caps applicants at three attempts. Rockford University requires TEAS proficiency achieved within three months of the cohort start.1 McHenry County College requires the TEAS but does not publish a cutoff.
GPA and Science Coursework
Saint Xavier and Rockford LPN to BSN programs both want a 2.75 cumulative GPA, with Rockford adding a 2.70 science prerequisite GPA1 and Saint Xavier requiring a 2.5 science GPA to progress into Sophomore II. McHenry County College sets the floor at 2.5 across prerequisites. Carl Sandburg is the strictest on science recency: BIO 200, 211, and 212 must have been completed within seven years of application. Saint Xavier and Rockford do not publish a comparable recency rule on their bridge pages.
Licensure, Experience, and Deadlines
An active Illinois LPN license is universal. A minimum period of LPN work experience is not consistently required by these programs, though broader Illinois nursing guidance references one year of employment as a common expectation elsewhere. CPR certification is standard for clinical placement.
Deadline structures differ. Saint Xavier runs three cycles with priority dates of April 1 (summer and fall) and October 1 (spring). Joliet Junior College uses fixed May 31 and October 31 cycles. Carl Sandburg operates on a rolling points-based selection review, which rewards applying early with a strong file rather than racing a single deadline.
Accreditation Status and New Programs Launching in Illinois
Illinois's LPN to RN bridge program landscape is shifting faster than most published rankings can keep up with, and accreditation status is the detail prospective students check last when it should be checked first. Not every program on a "best of" list has been independently confirmed against current ACEN or CCNE records, and readers should treat any accreditation claim, including ours, as a starting point for their own verification rather than a final word.
What we could confirm
Harper College's three-semester LPN-to-RN track, which awards an Associate in Applied Science, is ACEN-accredited and approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, requiring an active practical nurse license to enter. Southwestern Illinois College's ADN program holds ACEN Continuing Accreditation, though whether a dedicated LPN-to-RN track sits inside that same accreditation umbrella wasn't fully documented in the records we reviewed. Several other Illinois programs likely carry ACEN or CCNE status but couldn't be verified with confidence at publication, so we're flagging that gap rather than guessing.
Rockford University's new bridge program
Rockford University received Illinois Board of Nursing approval on July 10, 2026 for a new LPN-to-BSN bridge, with its first cohort starting January 11, 2027 and a second intake in spring 2028. Applicants need an active, unencumbered LPN license, a minimum 2.3 GPA overall (2.7 on prerequisites, 2.75 combined), and should apply by the December 1 priority deadline. Board approval confirms the program can operate and prepare graduates for licensure, but it is distinct from ACEN or CCNE programmatic accreditation, which had not yet been established for this track as of this writing.
Why the distinction matters
Programmatic accreditation (ACEN or CCNE) differs from institutional accreditation (like the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits the college itself). Programmatic status affects NCLEX-RN eligibility, employer hiring preferences, credit transferability into future BSN or graduate programs, and access to federal financial aid , all reasons why getting your LPN/LVN degree can be a smart strategic move. A newly approved program without programmatic accreditation yet isn't necessarily a red flag, but it's worth a direct call to the nursing department before enrolling.
Illinois RN Licensure and NCLEX-RN Requirements
Illinois treats RN licensure and the NCLEX-RN as two separate applications, and completing them out of order is the single biggest reason bridge graduates get stuck waiting on a license.
Applying Through IDFPR
Once your bridge program confirms completion, you apply for licensure by examination through Continental Testing Services (CTS), which processes applications on behalf of IDFPR. The application fee for licensure by examination is $98, and the initial RN license fee is $100; the $50 fee applies to licensure by endorsement, so confirm the current breakdown before paying. Most applicants also need a fingerprint-based background check, and the resulting Transaction Control Number, a 16-character identifier, must be submitted within 60 days of your application or the results expire and you restart the process with a new fee. Foreign-educated applicants additionally need CGFNS certification with an ERES credential evaluation.
Registering for the NCLEX-RN
Only after IDFPR authorizes you to test can you register for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE, paying the separate national exam fee of $200. Pay this before your program finishes, and you risk a mismatch; pay after CTS clears you, and scheduling typically moves quickly. On exam day, bring valid photo ID matching your registration exactly, arrive early, and expect the computerized adaptive format to end anywhere between 75 and 145 questions depending on your performance.
Illinois and the Nurse Licensure Compact
Illinois is not currently a Nurse Licensure Compact member state. Legislation (HB4369) proposing compact enactment, with a multistate license fee near $150 initially and $125 at renewal, was introduced but remained stalled in committee as of early 2026. Until that changes, Illinois-licensed RNs need a separate license to practice in other states, and nurses licensed elsewhere need an Illinois-specific license to work here, including via telehealth.
Timeline Expectations
IDFPR does not publish a fixed processing window, and attorneys who handle licensure delays consistently advise applying as early as possible rather than counting on a specific turnaround.
Salary Snapshot: LPN vs. RN Earnings in Illinois
Bridging from LPN to RN in Illinois can mean a significant jump in earning potential.
