2023 Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois
With all the healthcare programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Healthcare Degree Search has created the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 142 schools in Illinois to see which programs were the most popular for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Chamberlain University - Illinois to be the most popular school for healthcare students in Illinois. Chamberlain - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Addison, Illinois. It awarded 12,787 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $37,103 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $256, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Chamberlain - Illinois graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $83,241 during the early year of their career. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at DeVry University - Illinois helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular healthcare schools in Illinois. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the large private for-profit school handed out 2,269 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,148 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $163. Once they receive their degree, DeVry University - Illinois graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,020 during the early year of their career. Around 95% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the large public school awarded 2,021 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,801 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $259 if they 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. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
Out of the 142 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 1,079 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is a great place for healthcare students. Malcolm X College is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,023 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Malcolm X College accumulate an average of $16,569 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Malcolm X College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,354 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 966 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,930 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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.After graduating from Loyola Chicago, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,459 during the early years of their career. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
College of DuPage ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois list. COD is a large public school situated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It awarded 845 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $14,650 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, COD graduates make an average of $24,970 annually. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #8, Benedictine University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. Lisle, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 809 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Benedictine U accumulate an average of $26,886 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 $337 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Benedictine U graduates make an average of $47,484 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
With a ranking of #9, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 813 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,579 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
Read full report on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
With a ranking of #10, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. William Rainey Harper College is a fairly large public school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 787 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.
Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. This small private for-profit school is located in Rockford, Illinois, and it awarded 785 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,604 in student loans. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Rush University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. Rush University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 762 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $35,404 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Rush University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $68,980 during the early year of their career. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.
Northwestern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #13 on the list. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 709 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.
Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois ranking. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 666 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from MTI - Springfield, Illinois accumulate an average of $12,146 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 $53 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, MTI - Springfield, Illinois graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $24,872 during the early year of their career. Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.
Full Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois Report
Northern Illinois University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois ranking. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 646 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,759 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $216.After graduating from NIU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,041 during the early years of their career. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
Illinois State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois ranking. This large public school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 581 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
Midwestern University - Downers Grove landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. Located in Downers Grove, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 781 degrees in 2020-2021.
Once they receive their degree, Midwestern University - Downers Grove graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $82,144 during the early year of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois list. This medium-sized public school is located in Belleville, Illinois, and it awarded 508 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $12,518 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SWIC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,934 during the early year of their career. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
Oakton Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 501 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $13,638 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Oakton Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,340 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Parkland College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois list. This medium-sized public school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 500 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,167 in student loans.After graduating from Parkland College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,662 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. SIUC is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 496 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,594 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $165.After graduating from SIUC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,413 during the early years of their career. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.
Oak Point University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #22 on the list. Oak Point is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 495 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,170 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $342, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Oak Point graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $68,837 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois list. MVCC is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 492 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from MVCC accumulate an average of $15,006 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from MVCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,287 during the early years of their career. Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.
Lincoln Land Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #24 on the list. This small public school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 474 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from LLCC accumulate an average of $13,579 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from LLCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,692 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in Illinois list. RFUMS is a private not-for-profit institution located in North Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 530 degrees in 2020-2021.
Once they receive their degree, RFUMS graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $81,893 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
View Most Popular Healthcare Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular healthcare schools ranking:
Rank | School | Location |
---|---|---|
26 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL |
27 | Kaskaskia College | Centralia, IL |
28 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL |
29 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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