Harper College will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
Program facts 
Earn your Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing (AAS-RN) with this program at one of Illinois’ top 10 best nursing schools for Associate Degree RN Programs in 2025. Nursing is one of the most in-demand occupations, and employment is expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate in the coming years. This program will prepare you to provide quality care for clients across their lifespans in a variety of health care settings.
Learn from highly trained faculty members who regularly engage in professional development opportunities to provide cutting-edge teaching methods and clinical information. Practice your skills in Harper College’s Nursing Laboratory, a state-of-the-art simulated clinical environment.
Upon completion of this program, you’ll qualify to take the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for Illinois licensure as a registered nurse.
This is a limited-enrollment program. Please review this program's admission criteria and process.
This 68 credit-hour program is designed to enable students to receive an Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing at the completion of the two-year sequence. The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc (ACEN).
The Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing qualifies the graduate for NCLEX-RN and application for Illinois licensure as a registered nurse. Legal limitations could prohibit an individual from taking this licensing examination. Questions regarding these restrictions should be directed to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations at 217.782.8556. Positions are available in a variety of health care settings.
Because of the nature of clinical experiences and individual instruction required in this program, specialized technology and the equipment necessary to offer this program, a higher tuition rate is assessed for career-specific courses. These include courses with the NUR prefix. Students pay 1.5 the regular rate of tuition.
Nursing is a limited enrollment program. For admission requirements, please contact the Admissions Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu.
Students who apply for this limited enrollment program are obligated to meet current admission requirements and follow program curriculum as defined at the time of acceptance to the program.
Upon admission to the Nursing program, the mathematics requirement is met.
Nursing is a limited enrollment program. For admission requirements, please contact the Admissions Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu.
Students who apply for this limited enrollment program are obligated to meet current admission requirements and follow program curriculum as defined at the time of acceptance to the program.
Upon admission to the Nursing program, the mathematics requirement is met.
Must be completed no earlier than five years prior to beginning the Nursing program.
This course meets the World Culture and Diversity graduation requirement.
Must be completed no earlier than two years prior to beginning the Nursing program.
See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
Students who successfully complete this program are able to:
Registered Nursing Program
| Year | Harper ADN Pass Rate | State Pass Rate | National Pass Rate | Completion Rate | Job Placement |
| 2016 | 90% (74/82) | 85% | 85% | 64% | 91% |
| 2017 | 92% (80/87) | 86% | 87% | 77% | 91% |
| 2018 | 95% (116/122) | 88% | 88% | 76% | 89% |
| 2019 | 92% (108/118) | 88% | 88% | 72% | 97% |
| 2020 | 89% (77/87) | 88% | 87% | 61% | 97% |
| 2021 | 95% (114/120) | 82% | 78% | 76% | 99% |
| 2022 | 80% (94/118) | 77% | 80% | 55% | 100% |
| 2023 | 90% (76/84) | 85% | 89% | 49% | 81% |
| 2024 | 92% (72/78) | 87% | 91% | 50% | 91% |
| 2025 | 93% (70/75) | 85% | 87% | 52% | Pending |
RN NCLEX Pass Rate State Board .PDF
The Registered Nursing program maintains accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE
Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: 404.975.5000
Fax: 404.975.5020
Nursing Program approved by:
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
320 West Washington
Springfield, IL 62786
Students interested in nursing may also be interested in:
For more information on the Nursing RN degree program, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.