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2023 Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois

63 Schools Ranked
$45,060 Average Earnings
$21,268 Avg Student Debt

Today's healthcare students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Healthcare Degree Search has created the Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 63 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best programs for healthcare students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Healthcare Schools in Illinois

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
$69,538 Average Earnings
$19,000 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Northwestern University to be the best school for healthcare students in Illinois.

On average, students take out $19,000 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $576 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Northwestern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $69,538 during the early year of their career.

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#2

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
$60,805 Average Earnings
$28,383 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of St Francis. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,383 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $332. Once they receive their degree, University of Saint Francis graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,805 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of St Francis

#3

Rasmussen University - Illinois

Rockford, Illinois
$41,940 Average Earnings
$30,604 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - Illinois. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois list.

On average, students take out $30,604 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $127 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Rasmussen University - Illinois, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,940 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Rasmussen University - Illinois

#4

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
$42,340 Average Earnings
$13,638 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Oakton Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best healthcare schools in Illinois.

On average, students take out $13,638 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Oakton Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,340 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Oakton Community College

#5

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
$53,770 Average Earnings
$26,522 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Concordia University, Chicago. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,522 in student loans.After graduating from Concordia University, Chicago, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,770 during the early years of their career.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Report

$53,270 Average Earnings
$18,891 Avg Student Debt

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,891 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $415 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UIUC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,270 during the early years of their career.

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#7

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
$47,459 Average Earnings
$22,930 Avg Student Debt

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #7 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,930 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $652 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Loyola Chicago graduates make an average of $47,459 annually.

Full Loyola University Chicago Report

#8

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
$44,092 Average Earnings
$21,109 Avg Student Debt

Illinois State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #8 on the list.

On average, students take out $21,109 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $312 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Illinois State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,092 during the early year of their career.

Full Illinois State University Report

#9

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
$53,083 Average Earnings
$15,341 Avg Student Debt

College of Lake County landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

On average, students take out $15,341 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from College of Lake County, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,083 during the early years of their career.

Full College of Lake County Report

#10

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
$43,420 Average Earnings
$15,850 Avg Student Debt

William Rainey Harper College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois ranking.

Degree recipients from Harper College accumulate an average of $15,850 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Harper College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,420 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on William Rainey Harper College

#11

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
$52,822 Average Earnings
$25,068 Avg Student Debt

Bradley University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #11 on the list.

On average, students take out $25,068 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $575.After graduating from Bradley, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,822 during the early years of their career.

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#12

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
$48,984 Average Earnings
$23,413 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, Lewis University did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working.

On average, students take out $23,413 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $411 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Lewis graduates make an average of $48,984 annually.

Read full report on Lewis University

#13

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois
$47,532 Average Earnings
$24,607 Avg Student Debt

McKendree University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #13 on the list.

On average, students take out $24,607 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $207, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, McKendree graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,532 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on McKendree University

#14

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
$42,201 Average Earnings
$28,848 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Dominican University did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working.

On average, students take out $28,848 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $140, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Dominican U graduates make an average of $42,201 annually.

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#15

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
$47,474 Average Earnings
$21,567 Avg Student Debt

Elmhurst University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

On average, students take out $21,567 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $321, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Elmhurst, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,474 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Elmhurst University

#16

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
$47,673 Average Earnings
$25,543 Avg Student Debt

Aurora University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois list.

Degree recipients from Aurora accumulate an average of $25,543 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $198 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Aurora, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,673 during the early years of their career.

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#17

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
$53,836 Average Earnings
$19,801 Avg Student Debt

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #17 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,801 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $259, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UIC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,836 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Report

$42,413 Average Earnings
$23,594 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,594 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $165 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, SIUC graduates make an average of $42,413 annually.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Report

#19

Benedictine University

Lisle, Illinois
$47,484 Average Earnings
$26,886 Avg Student Debt

Benedictine University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois ranking.

On average, students take out $26,886 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $337. During the early years of their career, Benedictine U graduates make an average of $47,484 annually.

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#20

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
$41,771 Average Earnings
$26,690 Avg Student Debt

Roosevelt University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #20 on the list.

On average, students take out $26,690 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $413, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Roosevelt graduates make an average of $41,771 annually.

Read full report on Roosevelt University

#21

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, Illinois
$45,746 Average Earnings
$24,579 Avg Student Debt

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,579 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $221 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SIUE, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,746 during the early years of their career.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Report

#22

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
$38,688 Average Earnings
$23,733 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Illinois University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois ranking.

Degree recipients from EIU accumulate an average of $23,733 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $178 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, EIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,688 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Eastern Illinois University

#23

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
$48,041 Average Earnings
$25,759 Avg Student Debt

Northern Illinois University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #23 on the list.

Degree recipients from NIU accumulate an average of $25,759 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $216, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from NIU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,041 during the early years of their career.

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#24

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
$44,879 Average Earnings
$27,166 Avg Student Debt

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois list.

Degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene accumulate an average of $27,166 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $364.After graduating from Olivet Nazarene, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,879 during the early years of their career.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Report

#25

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois
$45,109 Average Earnings
$25,891 Avg Student Debt

University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in Illinois ranking.

On average, students take out $25,891 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $128, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UIS graduates make an average of $45,109 annually.

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Best Healthcare Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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