Best LPN Programs in Illinois

ASO Staff Writers
By
Updated on November 30, 2023

There’s a nationwide nursing shortage and it’s affecting patient care in Illinois as much as anywhere else. Reasons for the shortage are varied, including an aging population and lack of qualified nurses ready to replace the older, soon-to-retire baby boomers. In fact, a 2014 State of Illinois survey found that 40 percent of the Illinois RN respondents were 55-65 years of age or older, and that of this group, one-third intended to retire within the next five years. The shortage of RNs in Illinois is likely to have a ripple effect on other types of nurses, including LPNs. This makes now a great time to pursue a practical nursing career, and there are a number of excellent LPN programs in Illinois to choose from.

If you think an LPN career might be for you, read on to explore programs, learn more about specific licensure requirements for Illinois, and get detailed information on employment and salary for the state’s LPNs.

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Top LPN Programs in Illinois

#1 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Southeastern Illinois College

  • Location-markerHarrisburg, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,160
  • Out-of-state$5,400
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate65%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled1,732
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment45%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Shawnee Community College

  • Location-markerUllin, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,280
  • Out-of-state$5,760
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate55%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled1,083
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment51%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Sauk Valley Community College

  • Location-markerDixon, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,140
  • Out-of-state$11,250
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate71%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled1,616
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment43%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Kankakee Community College

  • Location-markerKankakee, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$12,090
  • Out-of-state$22,980
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate66%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,601
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment23%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Saint Xavier University

  • Location-markerChicago, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$33,300
  • Out-of-state$33,300
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$16,000
  • Out-of-state$16,000
  • Retention Rate76%
  • Acceptance Rate73%
  • Students Enrolled3,623
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment49%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

John Wood Community College

  • Location-markerQuincy, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,560
  • Out-of-state$7,560
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate66%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled1,934
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment59%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Spoon River College

  • Location-markerCanton, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,840
  • Out-of-state$10,920
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate62%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled1,386
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment59%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Richland Community College

  • Location-markerDecatur, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,760
  • Out-of-state$14,400
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate62%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,846
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment27%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Illinois Valley Community College

  • Location-markerOglesby, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,800
  • Out-of-state$11,760
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate63%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,841
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment23%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Danville Area Community College

  • Location-markerDanville, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,500
  • Out-of-state$7,500
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate64%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,644
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment39%
  • AccreditationYes
#11 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Kaskaskia College

  • Location-markerCentralia, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,050
  • Out-of-state$11,850
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate60%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled3,248
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment39%
  • AccreditationYes
#12 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College

  • Location-markerSpringfield, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,312
  • Out-of-state$9,468
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate68%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled5,446
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment32%
  • AccreditationYes
#13 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Lake Land College

  • Location-markerMattoon, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,989
  • Out-of-state$12,791
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate70%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled4,466
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment39%
  • AccreditationYes
#14 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

William Rainey Harper College

  • Location-markerPalatine, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,372
  • Out-of-state$11,184
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate75%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled13,477
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment22%
  • AccreditationYes
#15 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Illinois Central College

  • Location-markerEast Peoria, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,979
  • Out-of-state$10,707
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate69%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled8,749
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment27%
  • AccreditationYes
#16 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

John A. Logan College

  • Location-markerCarterville, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,190
  • Out-of-state$5,790
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate54%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled3,744
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment34%
  • AccreditationYes
#17 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Carl Sandburg College

  • Location-markerGalesburg, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,140
  • Out-of-state$7,952
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate66%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled1,925
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment46%
  • AccreditationYes
#18 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

South Suburban College

  • Location-markerSouth Holland, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,500
  • Out-of-state$12,150
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate53%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled4,066
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment23%
  • AccreditationYes
#19 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Black Hawk College

  • Location-markerMoline, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,500
  • Out-of-state$7,650
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate63%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled4,472
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment35%
  • AccreditationYes
#20 Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Heartland Community College

  • Location-markerNormal, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,000
  • Out-of-state$13,500
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate69%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled4,974
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment27%
  • AccreditationYes

LPN Licensure in Illinois

In order to legally practice – and find employment – practical nurses must be licensed by a governmental entity, typically the state’s board of nursing. Most states have a dedicated Board of Nursing, while others may have a larger organization that oversees all types of licensing. In the case of Illinois, the state’s board of nursing falls under the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations (IDFPR). This section takes a look at the requirements that must be met to obtain an LPN license to practice in the state of Illinois.

Basic Eligibility

  • Must provide proof of graduation from a licensed practical nursing education program that meets state requirements
  • Fill out and submit the Application for Licensure and/or Examination
  • Take and achieve a passing grade on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for practical nurses or apply for and be approved for licensure by endorsement (if you already have a current license in another jurisdiction of the US)

Education and Training

There are two basic ways to satisfy the education and training requirements to become a LPN in Illinois: 1) Graduation from an accredited nursing program that satisfies Illinois requirements or 2) Obtaining education, training and licensure from out-of-state that meets Illinois state requirements for licensure through endorsement. In either case, an individual will need to successfully graduate from an approved LPN program.

Specific course and graduation requirements vary from school to school. A typical LPN program in Illinois will take a minimum of one year to complete, but many schools offer extended programs of 16, 18, 20 months or longer to accommodate working students. In addition to specific LPN program requirements, students must normally complete a number of general education courses, which may be taken as part of a community college LPN associate degree or certificate program, or at a community college to satisfy a nursing school admissions prerequisite.

Additional Licensure Requirements

  • Submit a verification of fingerprint processing from the Illinois Department of State Police or its designated agent. Fingerprints to be taken within 60 days prior to application.
  • Pay the required state fees, including a $50 application fee and additional fee to cover the cost of determining an applicant’s eligibility for taking the examination and providing the exam itself
  • Verification from the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which the applicant was originally licensed, current state of licensure and licensure from any other jurisdiction in which the applicant has been actively practicing within the last 5 years
  • Official transcripts prepared by an official of the military (for applicants who have received practical nursing education during military service)
  • For applicants educated outside the US or its territories: 1) credentials evaluation report of the applicant’s foreign nursing education and 2) certification of passage of either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training Module, if English is not the applicant’s first language

Keeping an Active License

All Illinois LPN licenses expire on January 31 of each odd-numbered year. License holders may renew their licenses during the month preceding the expiration date by paying the required fee, currently $40, and completing 20 hours of continuing education (CE).

LPNs who have been inactive or had an expired license for more than five years must reapply for their license, submit proof of fitness to practice, and pay a license restoration or renewal fee.

Employment Trends for Illinois LPNs

Five years ago, the state of Illinois was predicting a small but significant surplus of LPNs. And while some studies continue to indicate a surplus of LPNs, those same studies also make clear that these estimates apply to the traditional role of LPNs and do not take into account emerging care delivery models which are expected to contribute to new growth and demand for LPNs.

The data below offers a more detailed look at emerging trends for LPNs in Illinois.

Top Locations for Employment
AreaTotal Employment (2014)
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville IL-IN-WI13,410
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville Metropolitan Division10,810
West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area1,230
South Illinois nonmetropolitan area1,170
Lake County-Kenosha County IL-WI Metropolitan Division940
East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area860
Springfield840
Rockford750
Peoria670
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area660

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014

Employment of LPNs in Illinois

  • 2012 – 23,110
  • 2022 – 27,710
  • Average Annual Openings 1,020

Source: Projections Central

Additional Resources for Illinois LPNs

An affiliate of the National Black Nurses Association, the GIBNA’s mission is to, “promote health and wellness, health education, improved quality of life for all persons, especially persons of color, and to promote diversity within the nursing profession.”
The IASN is the only state organization in Illinois specifically geared toward school nurses. This website offers members and non-members access to information on a number of topics including licensure/endorsement, continuing education and career opportunities.
The State’s official site for information on nursing education, licensing, careers and more. An excellent place to start any search concerning LPN practice in Illinois.
The IDFPR is responsible for the administration of licensing for practically every profession in the state, including the licensing of LPNs. This is where you will find all information regarding LPN licensure including all application forms and directions.
The state chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, the IHNA provides its member with career support, organization events, scholarships and more.
The INA is the state’s nurses’ union. Among typical union tasks such as collective bargaining, the INA offers continuing education opportunities and association events to support its members.
An affiliate of the American Organization of Nurse Executives. The IONL offers members a variety of services including networking with other members, continuing education programs, conferences, webinars and more.
The INAI’s goal is to identify and meet the “professional, cultural and social needs unique to nurses of Indian origin and heritage.” The association sponsors continuing education programs, social events, workshops and more for its members, new graduates and nursing students.
The purpose of the PNAI is to unify Filipino-American nurses in the state, provide professional development and to encourage membership participation in professional, educational, cultural and legislative activities.
The SNAI support student nurses in the state through its annual conference and other networking opportunities.