7 Best BSN Programs in Chicago – 2025


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Will a BSN degree help you advance your nursing career in Chicago? The answer to that question is, “Yes!” Earning a BSN signals prospective healthcare employers in the Windy City that you’re committed to nursing professionalism. Graduates of BSN programs in Chicago can handle far more complex nursing assignments. BSN-prepared RNs make fewer errors, and the patients they care for typically have better outcomes. Additionally, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is a strong foundation should you decide you want to pursue an advanced nursing degree in the future. Chicago RNs with BSN degrees can expect to earn $85,260 a year. Find out all you need to know with this list of the 7 best BSN programs in Chicago for 2025.



RECOMMENDED ONLINE RN TO BSN PROGRAMS

WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN PROGRAMS IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 7 Best BSN Programs in Chicago (Online & Campus) for 2025.

1. University of Illinois Chicago - Chicago


About University of Illinois Chicago: If you are aspiring for a career in nursing, then the University of Illinois Chicago can be a great place to begin. The nursing school offers one of the best BSN programs in Chicago, producing nursing graduates who are equipped with a robust education for a successful nursing career. The school offers a conducive learning environment where the faculty supports your academic and professional success as a nurse.


University of Illinois Chicago BSN Program Details: This BSN program in Chicago starts once a year in the fall. The program combines hands-on learning with didactic training from the very beginning of the program to equip you with a well-rounded skillset. The program spans two years of nursing courses. Before starting with the nursing courses, the program requires you to complete general education courses, either from UIC or any other accredited school.


University of Illinois Chicago BSN Curriculum Details: The BSN curriculum, comprising the nursing core courses requires you to complete 63 credits. The nursing courses equip you with skills in professional nursing, health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. The nursing coursework also covers mental health nursing and nursing care of individuals and families across the lifespan. In addition to didactic courses, the curriculum also includes seven clinical courses which are integrated throughout the program. The clinical courses include medical/surgical nursing, women’s health, pediatrics, mental health, community health, and acute care nursing.


University of Illinois Chicago BSN Admission Requirements: To qualify for this BSN program, you must have a high school diploma or an equivalent with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Also, you are required to complete 57 credits of general education courses for enrollment into the BSN program.


Why Choose University of Illinois Chicago BSN Program

• University of Illinois Chicago is located right in the heart of a medical district. Because of the favorable location, BSN students can explore meaningful learning opportunities while still in school as well as find a variety of placement options, post-graduation.
• University of Illinois Chicago’s BSN program emphasizes clinical training. BSN students are provided with extensive real-world experiences in a wide variety of healthcare settings. This is because the nursing school maintains partnerships with several healthcare systems around its campus in Chicago.
• University of Illinois Chicago’s BSN program includes a unique clinical rotation that requires students to participate in health improvement projects within the community. The clinical sites for this rotation include non-patient and non-hospital settings. So, you may choose to complete this experience in community settings such as churches, schools, or cultural organizations.
• University of Illinois Chicago’s BSN program ranks among the best in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.


2. North Park University - Chicago


About North Park University: North Park University not only offers one of the best BSN programs in Chicago but also provides a firm grounding in faith-based values. This nursing school should be high on your list if you are looking at a BSN program that is rooted in liberal arts and Christian values. In its 125 years of existence, North Park University has grown to become a center of excellent education where students from all walks of life are enrolled.


North Park University BSN Program Details: This BSN program, leading to the NCLEX-RN, makes you a compassionate caregiver. The program focuses on evidence-based patient-centered care. Program graduates demonstrate excellent critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. Starting with the freshman year, the program takes three to four years to complete.


North Park University BSN Curriculum Details: The curriculum of this BSN program in Chicago, requires the completion of a minimum of 120 credits. Out of that, 47 credits are in general education courses, and 51 credits are in nursing courses.

Through the general education courses, you’ll learn about human anatomy, cell biology, microbiology, advanced human physiology, organic chemistry, statistics, psychology, nutrition, sociology, and human lifespan development.

The nursing core curriculum requires you to take classes in professional nursing, health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, healthcare ethics, health policy & politics, and nursing leadership & management. In addition, the curriculum also covers psychiatric mental health nursing, nursing of adults, geriatric nursing, pediatric nursing, women’s health nursing, and community health nursing.


North Park University BSN Admission Requirements: With a competitive admission process, North Park’s BSN program is highly selective of students. To qualify for admission, you must have a minimum GPA of 2.75. In addition, the program requires you to have completed all the nursing prerequisites with a maximum grade of C. Further, you must be prepared to submit a TEAS score, your resume, and a recommendation letter.


Why Choose North Park University BSN Program

• North Park University’s BSN program offers a wide range of financial aid options to make your BSN education rather affordable.
• North Park University BSN students can participate in global learning opportunities. Students may take a trip, either to Mexico or Zambia. The two-week international experience enhances learning and provides you with a global outlook.
• North Park University’s BSN program provides clinical training at magnet-designated hospitals throughout Chicago. You’ll gain excellent real-world skills by providing care to the city’s diverse patient population.


3. DePaul University - Chicago


About DePaul University: Do you know nursing graduates from reputed schools like DePaul University are in high demand across the nation? As one of the best BSN programs in Chicago, Depaul’s BSN prepares you to provide competent patient care to the city's diverse population. The school’s supportive environment, well-designed curriculum, and extensive clinical training lay the firm ground for a successful nursing career.


DePaul University BSN Program Details: This BSN program in Chicago is open to high school students who want to enter the rewarding field of nursing. With liberal arts courses integrated into nursing courses, the program equips you with skills in interprofessional collaboration, critical thinking, leadership, and communication. Upon completion of this program, you will obtain proficiency to fulfill a variety of job positions, including, registered nurse, case management nurse, clinical nurse specialist, nursing director, and nurse manager.


DePaul University BSN Curriculum Details: The curriculum comprises rigorous didactic courses that are complemented by clinicals. The nursing courses cover topics such as statistics, health & nutrition, health assessment, pathophysiology, professional nursing concepts, and contemporary healthcare issues. Also, you’ll take classes in nursing informatics, quality & safety transformational nursing, nursing research, and community & population health. The curriculum also includes courses that prepare you for patient-centered nursing care in medical/surgical nursing, mental health, acute care, pediatrics, and obstetrics.


DePaul University BSN Admission Requirements: To apply as a freshman, you should have completed your high school diploma or equivalent. To submit your application, you must be prepared to include your official transcripts, and SAT or ACT scores. The program also requires applicants to have completed pre-requisite courses.


Why Choose DePaul University BSN Program

• DePaul University’s BSN program is offered in small-sized classes where individual attention makes the learning experience more fruitful and meaningful.
• DePaul University’s partners with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science to design a patient-centric nursing education. Further, the BSN program’s interprofessional approach prepares graduates for the best patient care practice in a variety of healthcare settings.
• DePaul University’s BSN program provides clinical training at more than 75 clinical sites across Chicago. The clinical sites, including an ICU, are some of Chicago’s premier healthcare centers that not only provide a broad clinical experience but also help you build a professional network.
• DePaul University’s BSN program graduates will be part of an alumni network of more than 1,800 nurses working in a variety of healthcare centers throughout Chicago.
• DePaul University’s BSN program consistently reports an excellent pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam.


4. Roosevelt University - Chicago


About Roosevelt University: From a supportive environment to an outstanding faculty, extensive hands-on learning to in-depth nursing knowledge, Roosevelt University’s BSN program has all the ingredients to successfully launch your career in nursing. Moreso, here, you can complete your training rather quickly, unlike most other four-year BSN programs in Chicago.


Roosevelt University BSN Program Details: This BSN program in Chicago is offered in an accelerated format, taking three years to complete. The rigorous coursework is designed to prepare you for the NCLEX-RN exam and thereafter for compassionate patient care as a registered nurse. As a graduate of this program, you’ll obtain proficiency in evidence-based nursing practice. Besides, you’ll be able to utilize critical thinking and clinical reasoning to improve health outcomes for diverse patient populations.


Roosevelt University BSN Curriculum Details: Roosevelt’s BSN curriculum comprises nursing core and support courses. The nursing core courses include didactic, lab, and clinical training. The core coursework covers all aspects of nursing, including nursing fundamentals, foundations of professional nursing, health assessment, psychiatric mental health nursing, medical-surgical nursing, and nursing of childbearing & childbearing families. The core courses also include classes in nursing research methods, nursing management & leadership, and community health nursing. The curriculum also includes an NCLEX review course that prepares you for the RN exam.

In addition to core nursing courses, the curriculum also requires you to complete support courses such as biology, anatomy & physiology, chemistry, pharmacology, nutrition, pathophysiology, statistics, and global health. To graduate, you are required to complete a total of 120 credits.


Roosevelt University BSN Admission Requirements: Roosevelt’s BSN program reviews applications holistically, so you must highlight all aspects of your application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so it is preferred that you apply early. To qualify for admission, you must have a high school diploma with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Further, the program requires you to submit your transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. The program also prefers applicants to have completed pre-requisite courses in school science and math. Also, any leadership or voluntary activities will enhance your odds of admission.


Why Choose Roosevelt University BSN Program

• Roosevelt University’s BSN Program is offered with competitive tuition rates. Additionally, with several financial aid options, you’ll further bring down the cost of your BSN education.
• Roosevelt University’s BSN program provides clinical training in some of the top hospitals in the area. So, you’ll get to practice patient care skills at places such as Humboldt Park Health, Sinai Health System, Weiss Memorial Hospital, and Roseland Community Hospital, to name just a few.
• Roosevelt University’s BSN program’s small-sized cohort of not more than 36 students allows you to build meaningful connections with faculty and peers.


5. Oak Point University – Chicago


About Oak Point University: If you are dreaming of becoming a nurse, then Oak Point University can help make this dream come true for you. Producing competent nurses since 1914, the nursing school provides a student-centered learning experience that prepares you for the real world.


Oak Point University BSN Program Details: Among the popular BSN programs in Chicago for adult learners, Oak Point’s BSN offers a flexible format with weekend & evening classes combined with classes in the day. The accelerated program, taking as little as 16 to 24 months, assumes all your general education and nursing support courses are complete. While the 5-semester plan is the most popular, the program can also be completed within 4 or 6 semesters, based on your preference. The minimum number of credits required for graduation is 63. Because this program only comprises upper-division courses, you’ll require to transfer 61 credits in general education and support courses. If you haven’t already completed these BSN prereqs before, you must work with the admission officer to devise a customized study plan for you.


Oak Point University BSN Curriculum Details: This BSN curriculum, comprising upper-division courses covers topics such as pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, fundamentals of nursing, nursing ethics, evidence-based practice, and nursing leadership & management. The curriculum also includes courses in nursing care of mental health patients, critically ill patients, adult patients, children, and childbearing families. You’ll also gain proficiency in community health nursing.


Oak Point University BSN Admission Requirements: To qualify for this BSN program in Chicago, you must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. Also, you are required to submit a TEAS score of at least 68%. The program also requires you to have completed 61 credits in general education and nursing support courses.


Why Choose Oak Point University BSN Program

• Oak Point University’s BSN program emphasizes hands-on learning and therefore offers BSN students rigorous clinical training at its simulation lab as well as through unique real-world experiences throughout Chicago.
• Oak Point University’s BSN program is offered at two Chicago campuses, Wicker Park and Oak Brook, making it rather convenient for you to attend classes.
• Oak Point University’s BSN program offers a personalized learning experience limiting its student numbers to 6 for clinicals, 12 for lab sessions, and up to 36 for didactic classes.


6. Chicago State University - Chicago


About Chicago State University: If you desire to make a difference in your community, then Chicago State University, equips you with the professional training to become a highly skilled nurse. The nursing school is known for its innovative teaching methods and excellence in nursing education. Here, as you embark on a journey of becoming a nurse, you’ll find a plethora of learning opportunities, including research activities, fieldwork, and internships.


Chicago State University BSN Program Details: Another one of our featured BSN programs in Chicago, CSU’s BSN is a four-year traditional program that comprises pre-nursing and nursing coursework. The program prepares you for a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinicals, home health, etc. Further, you’ll also be equipped to explore job opportunities in various nursing specialties, such as pediatrics, labor & delivery, telemetry, neonatal clinics, critical care, and many more specialty areas of registered nursing.


Chicago State University BSN Curriculum Details: CSU’s BSN curriculum starts at the freshman level and requires you to complete the pre-nursing courses in the first two years. The pre-nursing curriculum in the freshman and sophomore years provides you with a firm grounding in liberal arts & science by covering topics such as psychology, English, psychology, chemistry, humanities, statistics, and sociology.

The nursing curriculum in the junior and senior years includes didactic as well as clinical courses. Some of the classes you’ll take, include nursing fundamentals, nursing pathophysiology, pharmacology, research methods, health assessment, nursing leadership & management, mental health nursing, community health nursing, and nursing care of individuals & families across the lifespan. To earn your BSN, you’ll complete at least 120 credits from CSU.


Chicago State University BSN Admission Requirements: This BSN program in Chicago involves two phases of admission, first, admission into the pre-nursing program and then to the nursing program. Well, to be considered for admission into the pre-nursing program, you must have completed high school with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Also, a TEAS score is required. You must also be prepared to submit your transcripts, personal statement, and a letter of recommendation.

Thereafter, you must apply to the nursing program, for which your performance in the freshman and sophomore years is considered. Admission into this portion of the BSN program is highly competitive, admitting only the most promising 40 students. To progress to the nursing courses, you must complete the pre-nursing courses with a minimum grade of C or better.


Why Choose Chicago State University BSN Program

• Chicago State University’s BSN program is offered in small-sized classes of 12:1, with a student-to-faculty ratio for clinicals capped at 6:1. The one-on-one attention that you receive helps you reach your academic and professional goals.
• Chicago State University’s BSN program reports an excellent placement rate, having all of its graduates find jobs soon after graduation.
• Chicago State University’s BSN program thoroughly prepares you for the nursing workforce. Therefore in the last semester of the program, students engage in portfolio building and interview preparation not only to enhance employability but also to help them land their desired placements.
• Chicago State University’s BSN program maintains partnerships with some of the best healthcare & medical facilities in Chicago to provide students with meaningful hands-on experiences.


7. Saint Xavier University - Chicago


About Saint Xavier University: A great place to begin your journey in nursing, Saint Xavier University, not only provides the professional nursing groundwork but also instills in you an attitude of compassion and care to offer holistic nursing care. Besides, the school employs an excellent faculty that is committed to making you the best nurse. Guided by Catholic traditions, the nursing school serves a diverse student population who come from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.


Saint Xavier University BSN Program Details: One of the faith-based BSN programs in Chicago, this program is offered by Chicago’s first Catholic university. The holistic nursing program, comprising pre-nursing and nursing courses, takes four years to complete. Graduates of the program are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam and explore a wide variety of employment options in the field of nursing.


Saint Xavier University BSN Curriculum Details: This BSN curriculum requires the completion of 120 credits in pre-nursing and nursing courses.

The pre-nursing courses that consist of general education and nursing support courses require you to take classes in human anatomy, microbiology, psychology, nutrition, statistics, chemistry, and communication.

The nursing curriculum covers topics such as pathophysiology, professional nursing concepts, nursing pharmacology, and advanced concepts in professional nursing practice. The “holistic” curriculum also includes courses in holistic nursing care that prepare you to provide healing care for chronically and critically ill patients of all age groups.


Saint Xavier University BSN Admission Requirements: This BSN program in Chicago admits qualifying freshman students. To be considered, you must have a high school diploma. To complete your application for the freshman year, you must submit your transcripts. Although ACT or SAT scores are not required, it is preferred that you submit your score. Further, you must submit a personal goal statement. To gain admission into the nursing portion of the program, which is the junior year, you must complete all the pre-nursing courses with a grade of at least C.


Why Choose Saint Xavier University BSN Program

• Saint Xavier University has consistently been recognized as a Center of Excellence for the high-quality nursing education it offers. Therefore BSN students can expect to receive excellent, well-rounded nurse training.
• Saint Xavier University’s BSN program maintains clinical partnerships with some of the prominent healthcare facilities in Chicago. BSN students not only practice clinicals in a variety of interdisciplinary healthcare settings but often time find employment at these sites while still in BSN school.
• Saint Xavier University’s BSN program offers concurrent clinical training at its state-of-art simulation lab that mimics a real-world hospital. BSN students gain a better understanding by immediately applying their theoretical knowledge to practice in a safe environment.


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