Illinois offers 4 in-state ACNP program tracks (focused on Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) across 4 universities.
Costs for these programs vary based on degree level, entry point, and individual gap analysis (especially for certificates), ranging from approximately $14,000 (for the most affordable post-graduate certificates) to $93,000+ (for full DNP tracks).
Completion times typically span 9 months to 4 years depending on full-time or part-time study and prior credentials.
High Level Program Comparison
| School | Est. Cost (Rounded) | High-Level Program Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| Bradley University | MSN: $53K–$64K BSN-DNP: $77K Cert: $36K | – online delivery with acute-care clinicals and preceptor supervision – MSN and certificate tracks list 600 clinical hours; – DNP track lists 1,000 total hours (includes DNP project hours) |
| Loyola University Chicago | BSN-DNP: $88K Cert: $19K–$43K | – hybrid format with online learning plus classroom/simulation – Chicago-area clinical partnerships and faculty-selected sites; – certificate uses gap analysis, so credits, cost, and timeline can vary by student |
| Rosalind Franklin University | DNP: $93K Cert: $14K–$16K | – primarily online with in-person clinical residency requirements – certificate can finish in about 9–12 months (part-time) across 3–4 terms – DNP lists 27 months full-time or 32 months part-time |
| University of Illinois Chicago | BSN-DNP: $83K Cert: $25K | – hybrid delivery across UIC Nursing campuses – DNP lists 1,000 practicum hours (675 specialty hours) – certificate lists 675 clinical hours across three practicums – faculty-arranged practicum sites |
Bradley University ACNP Programs
Peoria | $1,135 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Bradley University offers four AGACNP pathways designed for ADN-, BSN-, and MSN-prepared nurses seeking acute care specialization. Tuition is based on a $1,135 per credit rate, with total program costs ranging from approximately $36,320 to $77,180 depending on entry point. MSN pathways require 600 clinical hours, while the DNP track requires 1,000 total clinical hours including project work. All programs are delivered online with supervised acute care clinical placements and preparation for ANCC AGACNP certification...read more.
Loyola University ACNP Programs
Chicago | $1,240 cpc | Certificate / DNP
Loyola's AGACNP programs prepare nurses for fast-paced clinical settings serving adults with complex and critical conditions from adolescence through older adulthood. The BSN to DNP track offers 71 credit hours covering core DNP coursework, advanced practice nursing fundamentals, and specialty acute care content. Both programs require significant clinical preparation including 2,000 hours of recent clinical practice experience, Illinois RN licensure, and CCRN certification before beginning clinical rotations. ..read more.
Purdue Global ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $420 cpc | Certificate
Eligible nurses in Illinois can pursue the Purdue Global AGAC-NP Postgraduate Certificate, a 57-credit online program costing an estimated $23,940 at $420 per credit. This accredited program is taught by experienced faculty and focuses on advanced physiology, pharmacology, and diagnosis for acute and critical care management. Graduates in Illinois are prepared for national certification to become licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).
Rosalind Franklin University ACNP Programs
North Chicago | $845 cpc | Certificate / DNP
Rosalind Franklin University’s College of Nursing offers two Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks: a Post-Graduate Certificate and a DNP, both focused on high-acuity adult and older adult care. Both options are designed for experienced nurses and are delivered primarily online with required in-person clinical residency experiences, making them feasible for working APRNs and RNs. The curriculum emphasizes advanced acute care decision-making, immersive clinical residencies, optional on-campus skills workshops, and structured AGACNP board exam preparation built into the final term of each program...read more.
South College ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $615 cpc | Certificate / MSN
The South College AGACNP programs provide Illinois nursing professionals with a flexible, online pathway to become experts in critical and emergency care. With an estimated tuition starting around $34,450 for the certificate and $51,450 for the MSN, the program emphasizes evidence-based practice and advanced pharmacology. Graduates in Illinois will be prepared to function as nurse practitioners in ICUs, trauma units, and specialty care environments upon completion.
University of Illinois Chicago ACNP Programs
Chicago | $1,075 cpc | Certificate / DNP
UIC offers a BSN-to-DNP AGACNP track and a post-DNP AG-ACNP certificate in a hybrid format that blends online learning with on-campus sessions across UIC Nursing campuses. The BSN-to-DNP track totals 77 credits and includes 1,000 practicum hours, with 675 hours tied to the AGACNP specialty in acute care settings such as hospitals, ICUs, and emergency departments. The post-DNP certificate requires at least 23 credits and includes 675 clinical hours across three practicums, with plans adjusted through an individual gap analysis. UIC also notes faculty-arranged practicum sites and reports a 100% AG-ACNP board pass rate for 2022 graduates...read more.
Walden University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Illinois-based nurses seeking terminal or advanced degrees can choose from Walden University’s DNP, MSN, or Post-Master’s Certificate in AGACNP, all delivered in a flexible, online format designed for working professionals. The MSN track, which can be completed in approximately two years, focuses on critical decision-making and managing complex, acutely ill adults across various healthcare settings in Illinois. Students benefit from the university's dedicated field placement team, which assists with securing the required clinical practicum hours critical for state licensure and national certification eligibility.
Comparing Illinois ACNP Programs
How should you choose the. best Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program in the state?
TLDR: Which Illinois AGACNP Program Is Right for You?
Choose Bradley University if you hold an ADN or non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want a fully online path to your MSN or DNP — Bradley is the only Illinois school offering an ADN-entry AGACNP option, and its four tracks make it the most flexible starting point regardless of your current credentials.
Choose Loyola University if you are a DNP-prepared nurse seeking post-graduate AGACNP certification and want access to faculty-arranged clinical placements at premier Chicago-area health systems, or if a values-driven Jesuit academic environment matters to your professional identity.
Choose Rosalind Franklin University if you want the most affordable and fastest certificate option in the state — RFU’s Post-Graduate Certificate is completable in as little as 9 months, and its DNP program is the only Illinois option completable in just 27 months full-time. It’s also the strongest choice for students who need maximum schedule flexibility, as didactic coursework is delivered online with optional in-person skills workshops.
Choose University of Illinois Chicago if you are a BSN-prepared nurse who values faculty-arranged clinical placements and a proven board exam record — UIC reported a 100% AG-ACNP board certification pass rate in 2022. Its hybrid format and in-state/out-of-state flat tuition rate also make it broadly accessible.
Comparing Illinois ACNP DNP Programs
Four Illinois schools offer a DNP pathway to AGACNP practice. Bradley is the most affordable BSN-entry DNP at $77,180, while RFU is the fastest at just 27 months full-time. Loyola and UIC lean toward part-time formats, making them better fits for working nurses who can’t step away from full-time employment.
| School | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Format | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley University | $77,180 | 3.3 years | Online | 1,000 |
| Loyola University | ~$88,040 | 3–4 years | Hybrid | 2,000+ hrs RN exp. req’d |
| Rosalind Franklin University | ~$93,115 | 27 mo. (FT) / 32 mo. (PT) | Online + in-person skills | 500 min. |
| UIC | ~$82,775 | ~4 years (PT only) | Hybrid | 1,000 (675 specialty) |
One important distinction: Loyola requires a minimum of 2,000 RN clinical practice hours and CCRN certification before entering clinical rotations — the most demanding pre-clinical bar among Illinois programs.
RFU’s DNP, by contrast, requires only 1 year of critical care RN experience and does not mandate CCRN for admission, though it is strongly recommended.
Comparing Illinois MSN Programs for ACNP
Bradley University is the only Illinois school offering an MSN-level AGACNP pathway, making this section straightforward. It is the clear choice for ADN-prepared nurses or those without a nursing bachelor’s degree who want to reach NP practice without first completing a BSN-to-DNP bridge.
| School | Track | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley University | MSN – ADN Entry | $63,560 | 3 years | 600 |
| Bradley University | MSN – BSN Entry | $53,345 | 2.3 years | 600 |
The BSN-entry MSN is the faster and less expensive of the two, shaving roughly 8 months and ~$10,000 off the ADN-entry track by eliminating bridge coursework. Both are delivered fully online with preceptor-supervised clinical placements.
Comparing Illinois ACNP Certificate Programs
This is where things get most interesting for experienced APRNs looking to add AGACNP credentials. All four Illinois schools offer some form of post-graduate or post-master’s certificate, but they vary significantly in entry requirements, cost, and speed.
RFU is the fastest and least expensive option at $14,015–$15,755 in as little as 9 months. Bradley’s PMC offers the most structured, defined curriculum at a fixed cost. Loyola’s certificate is highly individualized but can be costly depending on gap analysis. UIC targets Post-DNP students only.
| School | Entry Requirement | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RFU – PGC | Master’s or doctoral APRN | $14,015–$15,755 | 9–12 months | 500 min. |
| Bradley – PMC | MSN | $36,320 | 1.7 years | 600 |
| UIC – Post-DNP | DNP | ~$24,725 | ~1 year | 675 |
| Loyola – PGC | DNP | $18,600–$43,400 | 1–2 years | Individualized |
Note that Loyola and UIC both require a DNP for certificate entry, while RFU and Bradley accept MSN-prepared applicants. If you hold an MSN and want the fastest and cheapest path, RFU’s PGC is the clear front-runner.
Admissions Comparison
| School | Min. GPA | App. Deadlines | Interview Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley University | 3.0 | Summer: Apr. 15 / Fall: Jul. 15 | Not specified |
| Loyola University | Not specified; competitive | Fall: Jul. 1 / Spring: Dec. 1 | Yes |
| Rosalind Franklin University | 3.0 preferred | DNP: Apr. 15 / PGC: Rolling | Yes (virtual, Zoom) |
| UIC | 3.0 (final 60 credits) | Early: Nov. 1 / Standard: Jan. 15 / Final: Apr. 1 | Yes |
UIC offers the most flexibility with three application windows, while Bradley provides two clear semester deadlines. RFU’s PGC rolling admissions is the most accessible for applicants ready to start quickly. Loyola and RFU both conduct structured interviews as part of the review process.