Illinois at a Glance
Median LPN salary: $75,000/year (16.5% above national) → Median RN salary: $95,990/year (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Your raise: ~$20,990/year | Chicago RN average: $97,930 | NLC compact state
City Colleges of Chicago: Malcolm X College — no entrance exam, 10 transfer credits for LPNs | Hybrid: Moraine Valley CC, Triton College
IL Dept of Financial & Professional Regulation: idfpr.illinois.gov/nursing · (217) 785-0800
Fastest & Most Affordable LPN to RN Routes in Illinois
Illinois has strong community college bridge programs concentrated around Chicago, with options extending downstate. Illinois LPNs already earn $75,000 median — among the highest LPN salaries in the country — making the bridge to RN a shorter financial jump but still worth ~$21,000 more per year.
Malcolm X College (City Colleges of Chicago) — LPN to RN Bridge
Malcolm X College is the standout for Chicago LPNs — no entrance exam required (TEAS/HESI waived with active IL license), 10 transfer credits, and strong NCLEX completion rates. The blended format mixes in-person and online sessions. Includes NUR 110 (Practical to Professional Transitions) as a bridge course. Clinical orientations require drug testing and health compliance. Part of the City Colleges of Chicago system — in-district tuition rates.
Joliet Junior College — LPN to RN Transition
JJC's bridge starts with NURS 170, a transition course that introduces RN-level curriculum expectations. After passing, you join the final two semesters of the ADN program. Mix of traditional classroom, online learning, high-fidelity simulation, and clinical experiences at local healthcare facilities. Serves the Will County / southwest Chicagoland area.
Moraine Valley Community College — LPN to RN Transition (Hybrid)
Moraine Valley's hybrid format lets LPNs complete some coursework online while attending campus for labs and clinicals. Clinical rotations at area hospitals and community facilities in the south Chicago suburbs. Day, evening, and weekend clinical options may be available. Up to 90% of graduates find employment immediately.
Triton College — LPN to RN Bridge (Selective Admission)
Triton's program is 60 credits over 18 months with selective admission. Curriculum covers nursing theory, humanities, social sciences, and biological sciences. Clinical rotations at area hospitals and primary care facilities. Minimum grade of C required in all courses. ACEN accredited. Serves the western suburbs / O'Hare area.
McHenry County College (MCC) — LPN to RN Bridge
MCC serves the northwest suburbs / McHenry County area. ACEN accredited and approved by three state agencies. TEAS exam required. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN. Community college tuition rates apply.
✅ Pro tip for Chicago working moms: Malcolm X College (City Colleges of Chicago) is the lowest-barrier option — no entrance exam with an active IL license, 10 transfer credits, and a blended format. If you're in the south suburbs, Moraine Valley's hybrid with 90% post-graduation employment is the next best bet.
Online Option: Excelsior University (Study from Anywhere in Illinois)
For downstate Illinois LPNs far from Chicago-area community colleges:
Excelsior University — AAS in Nursing (Fully Online)
Excelsior works for Illinois LPNs in Springfield, Peoria, Champaign, or Southern Illinois — areas without easy access to Chicago-area bridge programs. All theory online, clinicals arranged at a facility near you.
⚠️ Important: Excelsior's associate-level program does not carry separate ACEN accreditation. Major Illinois employers (Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Aurora, Rush, University of Chicago Medicine) may prefer ACEN-accredited graduates. Chicago-area programs at Triton, MCC, and Moraine Valley are all ACEN accredited. Check with your employer before enrolling.
Illinois LPN to RN Cost Comparison
Illinois community college tuition varies by district, but all are affordable compared to private options.
| Program | Type | Estimated Total Cost | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm X / City Colleges (Chicago) | Community College | ~$6,000–$10,000 | No entrance exam, 10 transfer credits |
| Joliet Junior College | Community College | ~$8,000–$14,000 | 3-semester transition pathway |
| Moraine Valley CC | Community College | ~$8,000–$14,000 | Hybrid, 90% employment rate |
| Triton College | Community College | ~$8,000–$14,000 | ACEN, 18 months |
| McHenry County College | Community College | ~$7,000–$12,000 | ACEN, northwest suburbs |
| Excelsior University | Online | ~$7,400–$15,000+ | 100% online + local clinicals |
Costs estimated based on in-district/in-state tuition. Illinois has a flat 4.95% state income tax with no city wage taxes. Financial aid (Pell Grants, IL MAP Grant, institutional scholarships) can significantly reduce costs. Always confirm current tuition directly with the school.
Illinois LPN vs RN Salary: Already Earning Well, Earn Better
Illinois LPNs already make $75,000 median — 16.5% above the national average. Bridging to RN pushes you past $95,000. Based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data:
| Level | LPN Salary | RN Salary | Your Raise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | ~$58,880 | ~$69,170 | +$10,290 |
| Median (typical) | $75,000 | $95,990 | +$20,990 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | ~$89,810 | ~$118,190 | +$28,380 |
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025, SOC codes 29-1141 (RN) and 29-2061 (LPN). Illinois employs approximately 138,910 RNs statewide. Illinois has a flat 4.95% state income tax with no city wage taxes.
📊 Illinois math: The $20,990 raise may look modest next to California or Texas, but Illinois LPNs start from a higher baseline ($75,000 vs $55,000 nationally). Your total RN income ($95,990) puts you solidly in the top quarter of US household incomes. A ~$10,000 community college bridge pays for itself in 6 months.
Top-paying Illinois metro areas for RNs: Chicago ($97,930 average), Lake County/Kenosha ($96,000+), Peoria ($86,570). Major employers: Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Aurora Health, Rush University Medical Center, University of Chicago Medicine, Loyola Medicine. Many offer sign-on bonuses and tuition reimbursement.
What You Need to Get In (Illinois Requirements)
Requirements vary by school, but most Illinois LPN-to-RN bridge programs require:
- Active, unencumbered Illinois LPN license (Illinois is an NLC compact state)
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum GPA: 2.0 (Malcolm X College) to 2.5 (varies)
- Prerequisite courses: Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, English Composition, General Psychology, College Algebra (C or better)
- Entrance exam: TEAS at most programs — Malcolm X College waives this with active IL PN license
- Background check and drug screening
- Current CPR/BLS certification
- Immunizations: MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap, annual flu shot, negative TB test, COVID-19 vaccination (required by some clinical sites)
- Faculty interview at some programs (Malcolm X College)
✅ Malcolm X College waives the entrance exam. If TEAS or HESI is a barrier for you, Malcolm X College (City Colleges of Chicago) does not require a separate entrance exam for applicants with an active Illinois PN license. This is one of the lowest-barrier bridge programs in the entire Midwest.
Paying for It: Illinois Financial Aid
Illinois community college tuition is already affordable, and these programs help further:
- Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year. Complete the FAFSA.
- Illinois MAP Grant: State need-based grant for IL residents at IL schools. Covers tuition and mandatory fees. Apply via FAFSA — awards go quickly, so file early.
- City Colleges of Chicago Promise: Free tuition for qualifying CCC students.
- Employer tuition assistance: Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Aurora, Rush, University of Chicago Medicine, and Loyola Medicine all offer tuition reimbursement for employees advancing to RN.
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship: Full tuition + living stipend for commitment to underserved areas — many Southern Illinois counties qualify.
📋 Real math: City Colleges of Chicago tuition (~$6,000–$10,000 total) minus MAP Grant minus Pell Grant ($7,395/year) = most Chicago LPNs can finish their bridge with minimal out-of-pocket cost. File the FAFSA early — MAP Grant funds run out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest LPN to RN program in Illinois?
Malcolm X College (City Colleges of Chicago) offers some of the lowest community college tuition in the state, with 10 transfer credits for LPN education and no entrance exam required. Joliet JC, Moraine Valley, and Triton also offer affordable bridge programs at community college rates.
How much more do RNs make than LPNs in Illinois?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2025, IL LPNs earn a median of $75,000/year (16.5% above national) and RNs earn $95,990/year median — about $21,000 more. Chicago-area RNs average $97,930.
Can I do an LPN to RN program in Illinois with a hybrid or evening format?
Yes. Moraine Valley CC offers a hybrid format with some online coursework. Malcolm X College uses a blended model (in-person + online with synchronous and asynchronous components). Clinical rotations may include day, evening, and weekend options depending on the program.
Is Illinois a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state?
Yes. Illinois participates in the NLC. Your IL RN multistate license works in 40+ other compact states. IL RN licenses renew every 2 years with 20 contact hours of CE.
Why are Illinois LPN salaries so high compared to the national average?
Illinois LPNs earn $75,000 median — 16.5% above the $64,400 national median. This is driven by Chicago's large healthcare market, union contracts, and Illinois's overall higher wage structure. The flat 4.95% state income tax with no city wage taxes means shift differentials and overtime are straightforward to calculate.
Illinois Nursing Regulation Contact
Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Nursing
Illinois nursing is regulated by the IDFPR (not a separate Board of Nursing). RN licenses renew every 2 years with 20 contact hours of CE. Illinois is an NLC compact state — multistate licenses are available. Illinois has a flat 4.95% state income tax with no city wage taxes.
Find LPN to RN Programs in Other States
Looking for programs outside Illinois? We have dedicated guides for all 50 states plus Washington D.C.