Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Illinois | 2026
Direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs allow students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to become nurses without returning for another undergraduate degree. Some programs award a general MSN, while others bridge the gap to advanced practice registered nursing degrees.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Nurse.org’s Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Illinois
| School | Tuition | Program Length | Accreditation |
| Rush University | $1,436 per credit hour | 2-3 years | CCNE |
| Bradley University | $1,135 per credit hour | 2-3 years | CCNE |
| Elmhurst University | $845.07 per credit hour | 20 months | CCNE |
We’re highlighting three direct-entry MSN programs in Illinois. They are all private schools with varying program lengths, which makes pursuing an education while working or caring for loved ones more feasible. These programs take between 20 and 36 months to complete.
Rush University boasted an impressive 100% NCLEX in 2024 and is structured as a hybrid program that offers a mix of in-person and online learning. The top-rated program is also a favorite for male students, so male students looking for a program that feels inclusive may want to investigate. Students also have the option for a direct admit to Rush’s doctoral programs (there are six total) near the end of graduation. Overall, students feel the program prepares them well to work in high-level clinical settings.
Program Highlights
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
- School Type: Private
Requirements
- Contact school for specific admission requirements
Program Information
- Contact Information:
This private university is an APRN program, so students graduate prepared to take the certifying exam for one of five different MSN-NP concentrations. The program accepts a variety of students from a wide range of backgrounds, including traditional non-nursing bachelor’s degrees as well as ADN and diploma-trained nurses. To complete their clinicals, students can choose their own preceptor as well as a local clinical site, so they don’t have to be located in IL. The program is designed to allow students to continue to work while they pursue the degree, so it’s ideal for working students.
Program Highlights
- Location: Peoria, IL
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Family NP, Nursing Administration, Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- School Type: Private
Requirements
- Contact school for specific admission requirements
Program Information
- Contact Information:
Elmhurst University is an accelerated, direct-entry program that allows students to complete an MSN in only 20 months. The program not only prepares students to take the NCLEX, but it also provides the proper education to take the clinical nurse leader (CNL) exam as well. While the majority of the coursework is online, there is one on-campus immersive experience per enrollment. Clinicals also take place in-person, via the on-campus simulation lab, and through locally-placed clinicals. Two admission dates occur every year in the fall and spring.
Program Highlights
- Location: Elmhurst, IL
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader
- School Type: Private
Requirements
- Contact school for specific admission requirements
Program Information
- Contact Information:
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
What to Expect in a Direct-Entry MSN Program in Illinois
Direct-entry MSN programs in Illinois are most common for people with a non-nursing background who are looking to get into nursing in a fast and reliable pathway. With a bachelor's in a non-nursing field, an MSN degree can be achieved in as little as 20 months to a few years.
Direct-entry MSN programs may also make sense for some nurses already working in Illinois. For instance, Illinois does not require its nurses to hold a BSN to practice. However, many individual hospitals mandate that their RNs earn their BSN within a certain number of years working in the hospital. Some nurses may instead choose to earn their MSNs.
Tuition for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Illinois
Tuition for RN to BSN programs varies by program. The most affordable program we highlight on this list is Elmhurst University, at $845 per credit hour. On the higher end is Rush University, which comes in at almost double at $1436 per credit hour. Don’t forget to also consider other university fees, commuting costs, and fees for study materials.
Admission Requirements for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Illinois
Admission requirements for direct-entry MSN programs in Illinois differ depending on the school. To understand the specific standards of your chosen school, you should speak with an academic advisor.
However, most direct-entry MSN programs in Illinois will have these general prerequisites:
- A Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Prerequisite courses (per program)
- All transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Completed school application
Are Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Illinois Difficult?
The direct-entry MSN programs in Illinois are considered to be rigorous and competitive. Most direct-entry MSN programs, regardless of the state, are considered full-time programs, meaning students are generally discouraged from working outside of the program. Some programs may also require weekends, evenings, and year-round course and clinical work.
What to Expect Working as an APRN in Illinois
RN Salary in Illinois
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average wage for nurse practitioners in Illinois is $128,880, or $61.96 per hour, which is slightly lower than the national median annual salary for NPs, which is $129,210 per year.
APRNs, in general, earn an average salary of $132,050 per year, $63.48 per hour, and the field is expected to grow 35% (much faster than average) over the next ten years. Going from RN to APRN provides you with not only more responsibilities but also more career opportunities to grow into.
Career Outlook
The BLS projects that the NP career field will grow 35% (much faster than average) over the coming decade. Additionally, it estimates 134,000 openings for APRNs each year. Currently, Illinois is home to 9,560 NPs.
Where Can You Work? RN Jobs in Illinois
Depending on your interests and skills, you can work in several locations as a nurse. The largest and most common employer of nurses is hospitals. Other possible job locations include:
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Government agencies
- Academia
- Medical and aesthetic spas
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Private practice
- Surgery centers
- Urgent care centers
Next Steps
The top direct-entry MSN programs in Illinois are perfect for working nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to pursue becoming an NP or APRN. These graduate programs allow you to take the next step in your career, even if you started in a non-nursing field.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
FAQs
Additional Resources
For more information on earning a direct-entry MSN, check out these resources:
- Top Direct-Entry Master's in Nursing (MSN) Programs
- Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs for 2026
- Types of Master's in Nursing (MSN) Degrees | Programs 2026
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