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Author: Michael Hoffman, MA, JD
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Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.
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Wes Ricketts has created award-winning content in higher education and healthcare for nearly 20 years. He founded EduMed in 2018 to give future college students a go-to resource for information on degree programs in nursing and allied health. Wes’s research and writing interests include Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as caregiving for loved ones with degenerative conditions. Wes holds a master’s degree in history from Western Washington University, where he also led workshops focused on historical research and longform writing skills.
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Online MSN Programs in Illinois: Reviewing Top Schools

Like many states, Illinois faces a nursing shortage, especially in advanced practice roles. A great way to capitalize on this shortage and grow your career is with a master’s in nursing (MSN). This EduMed guide shows you how online MSN programs work, the different types available in Illinois, how much they cost, and what to expect after graduation. Make your move toward an online MSN with us.

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A smiling bald man with a beard, wearing a black t-shirt and glasses perched on his head, standing in front of a brick wall.
Author: Michael Hoffman, MA, JD
A smiling bald man with a beard, wearing a black t-shirt and glasses perched on his head, standing in front of a brick wall.
Michael Hoffman, MA, JD Arrow up right
Freelance Writer, Researcher, & Journalist
Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.
Areas of Expertise
Check HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing
HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing
Editor: Wes Ricketts
A man with short hair and a beard looks upward with a slight smile. The image is in sepia tones, and the background is plain and light-colored.
Wes Ricketts Arrow up right
Wes Ricketts has created award-winning content in higher education and healthcare for nearly 20 years. He founded EduMed in 2018 to give future college students a go-to resource for information on degree programs in nursing and allied health. Wes’s research and writing interests include Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as caregiving for loved ones with degenerative conditions. Wes holds a master’s degree in history from Western Washington University, where he also led workshops focused on historical research and longform writing skills.
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Many nursing schools in Illinois now feature master’s programs with coursework that can be completed 100% online. What’s more, others deliver much of their coursework asynchronously, meaning you can log on whenever it fits your schedule. However, online MSN programs in Illinois may still require some on-campus elements, such as labs or short-term residencies. And online MSN students need to complete in-person clinical experiences with program-approved healthcare providers, typically in the school’s or student’s local area.

Below are profiles of three popular online MSN programs in Illinois. Get an inside look at how they work, how much they cost, and what you’ll learn if you apply and enroll.

Illinois College

Illinois College, a private Protestant Christian-affiliated school located in Jacksonville, offers an Online MSN program with concentration options in Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership/Administration. Earning the degree requires completion of 36 credit hours of core, interdisciplinary, and concentration coursework, along with a culminating student project. Didactic coursework is delivered 100% online an asynchronous format that allows students to access and attend to their studies at any time. Students additionally complete two practicum experiences within a program-approved healthcare agency or system as part of their culminating project. Scholarships that cover the cost of the first course and a laptop computer are available to the first 30 students admitted in a given term.

Duration: 18 months

Mode: Fully-online with exception of practicum experiences

Cost: $750/credit

Admissions Requirements:

  • Current RN licensure from any U.S. state or territory
  • BSN degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA on the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate course work
  • Satisfactory completion of introductory baccalaureate-level courses in statistics, nursing research, and health assessment (or their equivalent) with a grade of “C” or better
  • Basic computer skills
  • Health and liability insurance
  • Current CPR certification
  • Evidence of Hepatitis, MMR, tetanus, and diphtheria immunizations
  • Evidence of an annual TB skin test
  • Criminal background check within 90 days prior to the first practicum experience
  • TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency for students who speak English as a second language

Curriculum:

Core Courses (both concentrations)

  • Nursing Philosophy/Theories
  • Advanced Assessment, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
  • Evidence-Based Research in Advanced Nursing Practice
  • Healthcare Policy & Advocacy

Interdisciplinary Courses (both concentrations)

  • Data Analysis & Statistics
  • Leadership and Instructional Communication

Nursing Leadership/Administration Concentration

  • Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Finance
  • Organizational Behavior in Healthcare
  • Leadership in Healthcare Systems: Advanced Roles in Nursing

Nursing Education Concentration

  • Curriculum Development and Evaluation
  • Innovative Teaching Strategies in Nursing
  • Evaluation and Testing in Nursing Education

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Illinois State University

There are two BSN to MSN specialization options featuring online components available from the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University. The Leadership and Management (MSN-NLM) specialization prepares students for leadership and health policy development roles in the full range of nursing management settings. The 34-credit MSN-NLM program is seven semesters and completed in 2½ years of part-time study. Coursework is delivered 100% online. The Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) specialization prepares students for advanced nursing practice with an emphasis on preventative and self-care measures, and the diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic health conditions. The MSN-FNP curriculum (44 credits) is offered with two year full-time and three year part-time options. Core courses are delivered fully online while support and clinical courses are taught on campus. Students in both specializations additionally complete in-person clinical experiences at program-approved practice sites.

Duration: 2-3 years

Mode: Fully-online coursework with in-person clinicals (Leadership and Management). Hybrid formatted coursework with in-person clinicals (MSN-FNP).

Cost: $422.57/credit (Indiana and bordering states); $877.72/credit (out-of-state and international)

Admissions Requirements:

  • Current RN license. Illinois license needed for FNP program. RN license from any state is acceptable for Leadership and Management program
  • BSN from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA on last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework
  • At least two professional or academic recommendations
  • Current resume
  • Two to three-page essay outlining educational and professional goals
  • International students must have a TOEFL score of at least 79 iBT or IELTS score of 6.5

Curriculum:

Leadership and Management

  • Theoretical Foundations of Nursing and Health Care
  • Epidemiology
  • Scientific Inquiry and Research
  • Organizational Expericence (180 clinical hours)
  • Finance
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Leadership Synthesis Experience (180 clinical hours)
  • Informatics
  • Health Policy
  • Leadership in Healthcare Systems
  • Changing Healthcare Systems: Quality

Family Nurse Practitioner

  • Theoretical Foundations of Nursing and Health Care
  • Epidemiology
  • Scientific Inquiry and Research
  • Diagnostic Reasoning
  • Pharmacotherapeutics
  • Pathophysiology
  • Health Policy

McKendree University

With a current per-credit tuition rate of $495, the Master of Science (MSN Online) program at McKendree University proves that affordability is not exclusive to MSN programs in Illinois offered by public colleges and universities. Concentrations are available in Nursing Education, Nursing Management/Administration, and Public Health. All didactic coursework is online and may be delivered synchronously or asynchronously. Students in both concentrations additionally complete a total of 150 in-person clinical hours through practicum experiences customized to best meet their individual career goals. Financial aid resources including scholarships and graduate tuition discounts are available to qualifying MSN students.

Duration: Two years (five semesters) full-time or four years (10 semesters) part-time

Mode: Fully online with the exception of in-person practicums

Cost: $495/credit

Admissions Requirements:

  • Unencumbered valid RN license
  • BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate studies
  • Current resume or CV
  • Three professional references
  • Essay describing personal and professional goals
  • Interview for applicants who meet initial qualifications

Curriculum:

Core Courses (all concentrations)

  • Evidence-based Practice in Healthcare
  • Health Policy and Legal Aspects in Healthcare
  • Ethics, Social Justice, Diversity, and Health Equity
  • Population Health and Epidemiology

Nursing Education Concentration

  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Foundations of Nursing Education
  • Educational Methods and Strategies
  • Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education
  • Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
  • Nurse Educator Practicum and Scholarly Project

Nursing Management/Administration Concentration

  • Foundations of Nursing Management
  • Nursing Informatics
  • Human Behavior in Organizations
  • Management of Fiscal Systems
  • Quality, Safety, and Performance in Organizations

Population Health Concentration

  • Quality, Safety, and Performance in Organizations
  • Impacting Population Health and Wellness Across the Continuum
  • Foundations of Population Health
  • Leadership in Population Health
  • Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention to Promote Individual and Population Outcomes
  • Advanced Population Health Practicum and Scholarly Project

Responding to FAQs About Online MSN Programs

If you have read to this point, you’ve probably had a number of questions answered about how online MSN programs in Illinois work. Yet other questions likely remain. To help in that regard, here are the answers to five of the most often asked questions about MSN programs and careers in Illinois.

What can I do with an MSN in Illinois?

MSN degrees are all about moving up the nursing career ladder into advanced practice, education, and leadership positions. Some of the most popular practice areas for graduates of Illinois MSN programs include:

Graduates of MSN programs in Illinois may also continue their studies to earn their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Nursing PhD to advance into top-tier administrative, advanced research, and post-secondary education positions.

What are the admissions requirements for MSN nursing programs in Illinois?

Requirements for admission into MSN programs in Illinois vary primarily by program type. Here’s a look at admission requirements similar to ones you’ll find for most Illinois online MSN programs:

  • Traditional MSN and Accelerated MSN: RN licensure, BSN, and nursing practice experience (amount varies by program).
  • RN to MSN: RN licensure, nursing associate degree or diploma, and nursing practice experience (amount varies by program). Some programs also require a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
  • Direct Entry MSN: Non-nursing bachelor’s degree.

Common application materials include a current résumé, letters of recommendation, personal statement/statement of purpose, criminal background check, drug screen, proof of required immunizations, physical exam, health insurance, and liability insurance.

How long does it take to earn an MSN in Illinois?

Program lengths for MSN programs in Illinois vary substantially based primarily on program type, specialization, and whether the student chooses full-time or part-time study. Here are some general time estimates for different types of MSN programs in Illinois:

  • Traditional MSN: Two to four years.
  • Accelerated MSN: One year to 18 months.
  • RN to MSN: Two to four years.
  • Direct-Entry: Two to five years.

It’s important to understand that these are broad estimates and that each MSN program has its own schedule. Be sure that you have a clear idea of the program length and time limits set by any program you’re considering before you enroll.

How much does an MSN program in Illinois cost?

The costs of MSN programs in Illinois vary substantially depending on several factors, the most common being program type, total number of required credits, whether the program is offered by a public or private college, and (regarding public school programs) whether a student is an Illinois or out-of-state resident. The tuition costs quoted in the program profiles above and listed just below offer a rough idea of the range of program costs you’ll encounter during your program search.

Bear in mind, however, that these are tuition rates only and do not include costs for such things as program and school fees, textbooks and course materials, insurance, immunizations, criminal background checks, drug screens, and other necessaries. They also do not consider any financial aid resources you receive that lower your total program price tag. (More on financial aid in the next FAQ.)

Lewis University

Master of Science in Nursing

Total Credits: 36-49 (depending on concentration)

$830/credit

Rush University

Generalist Entry Master’s in Nursing for Non-Nurses: Clinical Nurse Leader

Total Credits: 74

$1,120/credit

Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Master of Science in Nursing-Nurse Educator

Total Credits: 36

$751/credit

Where can I find financial aid to help pay for my MSN program in Illinois?

Qualifying students in properly accredited online MSN programs in Illinois are eligible for a wide variety of financial aid opportunities including loans, scholarships and grants, assistantships and fellowships, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and more. A great place to start your MSN funding search is at the financial aid offices of the nursing schools you’re considering. Other quality resources include:

Types of MSN Programs in Illinois

There are a number of different types of online MSN programs in Illinois. To help you in understanding the unique benefits and requirements of each, here are descriptions of the five most common MSN program types, along with examples of online Illinois MSN programs that offer them.

Traditional MSN

Traditional MSN programs require both a previously earned BSN and a current RN license. Coursework (often available online in an asynchronous format) is combined with clinical rotations and other in-person components, like short-term campus residencies. You’ll likely be able to choose a concentration or specialization track as well. Traditional MSN programs typically require two years full-time to four years part-time to complete.

Direct-Entry MSN

Direct entry MSN programs provide students with no earlier nursing academic and practice experience a time-saving path to becoming RNs and taking on advanced practice and leadership positions. Admission requires a previously earned bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major. These programs typically take from around two years of full-time study to as much as five years of part-time study to complete.

Accelerated MSN

Not to be confused with direct-entry accelerated programs, accelerated MSN programs allow students to complete their degree requirements in less time – in some cases as little as one year. As you might expect, accelerated MSN programs are designed for highly-motivated students with the time and willingness to focus their energies on intensive full-time academic study.

RN to MSN Bridge

RN to MSN bridge programs are for current RNs with a nursing associate degree or diploma but without a BSN, although some programs may require both RN licensure and a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. RN to MSN students typically have the same specialization options as traditional MSN students.

Dual Master’s

Dual master’s programs allow students to obtain an MSN degree along with another master’s in a single course of study. A small number of colleges in Illinois offer MSN/MBA programs that prepare graduates to excel in leadership positions, particularly in nursing administration and healthcare management.

MSN Salary & Career Projections in Illinois

Area ↕ 10th Percentile ↕ Median ↕ 90th Percentile ↕
U.S. $97,960 $129,210 $169,950
Illinois $102,280 $128,620 $158,680
Bloomington, IL $101,300 $129,270 $154,320
Champaign-Urbana, IL $40,610 $124,740 $150,090
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $103,420 $131,690 $165,890
Decatur, IL $106,930 $116,950 $140,360
Kankakee, IL $103,730 $123,700 $151,210
Peoria, IL $99,220 $122,290 $149,640
Rockford, IL $99,910 $130,130 $139,890
Springfield, IL $102,060 $125,510 $137,340

Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

Area ↕ Curr. Jobs ↕ Proj. Jobs ↕ New Jobs ↕ Growth % ↕ Avg. Ann. Openings ↕
United States 266,300 384,900 118,600 44.50% 26,300
Illinois 8,970 12,660 3,690 41.10% 850

Source: Projections Central

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

Ranking the Best Online MSN Programs in Illinois

We’ve surveyed the numerous online MSN programs currently offered by Illinois nursing schools and chosen what we believe to be the best of the bunch for our rankings below. Our selections were made by considering a number of program elements important to student success, including academic quality, specialization options, study convenience and flexibility, affordability, and access to helpful academic and career support services. Here’s who leads the pack today in online MSN programs in Illinois.

# School Name Online Enrollment Tuition
1
1
100% Online Enrollment
$$$ Tuition
2
2
94% Online Enrollment
$$ Tuition
3
3
28% Online Enrollment
$$$ Tuition
4
4
20% Online Enrollment
$$ Tuition
5
5

Governors State University

University Park, IL
40% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
6
6
39% Online Enrollment
$$$ Tuition
7
7
5% Online Enrollment
$$ Tuition
8
8

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL
49% Online Enrollment
$$$ Tuition
9
9
7% Online Enrollment
$$ Tuition
10
10
12% Online Enrollment
$$$ Tuition

Michael Hoffman, MA, JD AUTHOR

Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.

Read More About Michael Hoffman

Wes Ricketts EDITOR

Wes Ricketts has created award-winning content in higher education and healthcare for nearly 20 years. He founded EduMed in 2018 to give future college students a go-to resource for information on degree programs in nursing and allied health. Wes’s research and writing interests include Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as caregiving for loved ones with degenerative conditions. Wes holds a master’s degree in history from Western Washington University, where he also led workshops focused on historical research and longform writing skills.

Read More About Wes Ricketts
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