Online RN to MSN Programs in Illinois: Reviewing Top Schools
Illinois offers several RN to MSN bridge programs that can help you advance your careers, specialize your skills, and increase your earning potential. This guide highlights top in-state programs, answers common questions, and explores salary and career prospects for MSN graduates.
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Popular Online RN to MSN Programs in Illinois
RN to MSN bridge programs in Illinois are designed for nurses who don’t yet hold a BSN, including those with an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor’s degree in another field. These programs offer a streamlined way to earn your MSN while continuing to work.
Top online RN to MSN programs typically feature:
- Flexible admission options for ADN- and non-nursing bachelor’s degree holders
- Asynchronous coursework that lets you study on your own schedule
- Mostly online classes combined with required in-person clinical training
- Cost-conscious formats that help reduce time and tuition expenses
Below, we highlight three standout Illinois schools that balance affordability, flexibility, and high-quality instruction.
RN to MSN – DePaul University
The RN to MSN program at DePaul University is designed for working nurses who want to expand their knowledge and skills and become a nurse administrator, nurse educator, family nurse practitioner, or adult-gerontology nurse practitioner. Students with an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) are encouraged to apply and the coursework can be tailored to specific academic backgrounds.
The program is completely online although students must complete an in-person practicum before graduation. DePaul is a strong choice as it boasts an experienced faculty, robust alumni network, and numerous financial aid and scholarship opportunities for MSN students.
Duration: 2-4 years depending on academic history
Mode: Online with in-person clinicals
Cost: $811/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited nursing program
- Minimum 2.75 overall GPA
- Unencumbered RN license
Curriculum:
Core Courses:
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology
- Pharmacology for Advanced Practice
- Graduate Research Synthesis
Specialization Tracks:
- Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Administration
- Nursing Education
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RN to MSN – Lewis University
With a 12:1 student to faculty ratio, the RN to MSN program at Lewis University offers plenty of opportunities for personalized attention and networking. Coursework is available in multiple formats including online, on-campus, traditional length, and accelerated options.
Students can choose from multiple specialization tracks including nursing education, healthcare systems leadership, adult gerontology, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, and school nurse specializations.
The school also hosts a number of fully equipped exam and critical care simulation rooms on the Oak Brook campus to assist nurses with their clinical skills.
Duration: About three years
Mode: Online with in-person clinical hours
Cost: $830/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- ADN or non-nursing BA from a state-approved nursing school
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Completion of a statistics course and three bridge courses with a grade B or better
Curriculum:
Core Courses:
- Applied Biostatistics for Advanced Nursing Practice
- Healthcare Organizations
- Systems and Policy
- Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice
- Population Health
- Scholarly Inquiry
- Healthcare Informatics
Specialization Tracks:
- Nursing Education
- Healthcare Systems Leadership
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- School Nurse
MSN – Illinois College
The online MSN program at Illinois College is designed for working nurses and as such, all of the coursework can be completed on your own schedule. The program is CCNE-accredited and offers 8-week classes that are offered continuously throughout the year.
Students can choose to specialize in Nursing Leadership and Administration or Nursing Education, and the program culminates in two practicums that provide real-world clinical experience.
The MSN program also offers generous scholarships to students, which can make the program more accessible. The first 30 students admitted and enrolled in an MSN course will receive a U.S. Department of Education scholarship equivalent to $3,000 as well as a personal laptop to facilitate online learning.
Duration: 18 months (36 credit hours)
Mode: Asynchronous online with in-personal clinical hours
Cost: $750/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Must have earned a 2.5 cumulative GPA in a nursing ADN or diploma program
- Hold an unencumbered RN license in the United States
- Current CPR certification
- Official transcripts of all prior collegiate academic work
- Proof of immunization
- Evidence of health and liability insurance
- Complete a criminal background check
Curriculum:
Core Courses:
- Nursing Philosophies/Theories
- Advanced Assessment: Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
- Evidence-Based Research in Advanced Nursing Practice
- Healthcare Policy and Advocacy
- Data Analysis and Statistics
- Leadership and Instructional Communication
Specialization Tracks:
- Nursing Leadership/Administration
- Nursing Education
Illinois RN to MSN Student Questions
As you consider your professional future, it’s normal to have questions. In the section below, we’ve done our best to answer some common concerns students like you often have. Whether you’re curious about the logistics of RN to MSN bridge programs or wondering what you’ll learn, keep reading for our detailed answers.
What should I look for in a quality RN to MSN program in Illinois?
When looking for accredited nursing schools, you should only consider options that are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The program should also be approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), which licenses all nurses in the state.
Other essential components include high graduation rates, career placement resources, and networking opportunities. High NCLEX-RN pass rates also can indicate quality educational outcomes.
Expert Insight
Pay attention to a school’s undergraduate programs, if they have them. It’s not unreasonable to assume that if the undergraduate program is great, the graduate programs will be great as well. What resources are available to RN students? Do they offer extra assistance like tutoring or assistance with job placement? What are the credentials of faculty members?
Will I earn my bachelor’s degree during my RN to MSN program?
It depends. Some RN to MSN programs do not allow nurses with ADNs to earn BSN credentials as part of the curriculum, and only award master’s degrees upon graduation. However, this isn’t the case for all programs.
For example, DePaul University offers an RN to MSN bridge program for ADN holders that includes an additional six credits that count towards both bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements.
What will I learn in an RN to MSN program in Illinois?
RN to MSN programs provide the advanced skills and knowledge required to grow your career. These programs develop leadership skills while also exposing you to more administrative and business functions.
For example, at Elmhurst College you can expect to take courses in nursing and clinical leadership theory while exploring the organization, policy, and finance of healthcare systems. You’ll also tackle classes focusing on clinical leadership role development and technology in healthcare education and practice.
What can you do with an MSN in Illinois?
Earning an MSN degree in Illinois can enable you to work in several high-paying, in-demand roles such as nurse practitioner and nurse midwife. Other options include nursing administration, advanced clinical nursing, nursing education, and nursing informatics positions.
After earning an MSN, you can also pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which is the minimum degree required to become a nurse anesthetist.
Expert Insight
If you want to be a nurse leader, earning an MSN is a great place to start! You can lead in clinical settings, academia, public health, and government. As an APRN, you’ll lead in advanced clinical practices, sometimes serving as primary care providers. As an educator, you’ll advance the future of nursing education. In government, you will advocate for political changes that positively impact communities as well as the nursing profession.
How do I go from being an RN to an MSN nurse in Illinois?
Advancing from an RN to an MSN nurse can be as simple as returning to school—that’s if you’re studying for non-clinical roles such as nurse educator, nurse informaticist, or nurse researcher. However, many MSN nurses choose to become advanced practice nurse practitioners (APRNs), which requires further licensing and certification.
The following steps are a typical pathway to an APRN career in Illinois:
- Gain registered nursing experience. For some schools, you need at least one to two years.
- Enroll in an online or on-campus RN to MSN program—takes about three years to finish.
- Apply for an advance practice license with the IDFPR, including paying the required fees.
- Take and pass the national certification exam for your specialty. Nurse practitioner candidates will take the National Nurse Practitioner Certification Board Exam
Illinois’s Top Online RN to MSN Bridge Programs
To identify the best schools in Illinois, we’ve created a ranking system using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). First, we identify schools that are institutionally accredited and contain at least one online component, then we assign weight to metrics such as percentage of online courses and student to faculty ration. Take a look at these top ranking RN to MSN bridge programs in Illinois.
Methodist College
Peoria, ILLoyola University Chicago
Chicago, ILDePaul University
Chicago, ILOlivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, ILLewis University
Romeoville, ILUniversity of St Francis
Joliet, ILUniversity of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, ILBradley University
Peoria, ILSouthern Illinois University
Edwardsville, ILBenedictine University
Lisle, ILIllinois RN vs. MSN: Comparison of Potential Earnings & Job Prospects
| Occupation | Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | Illinois | $63,900 | $82,470 | $105,140 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Illinois | $98,650 | $126,950 | $160,930 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Occupation | Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | Illinois | 138,050 | 142,310 | 4,260 | 3.10% | 7,960 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Illinois | 8,970 | 12,660 | 3,690 | 41.10% | 850 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
