Illinois BSN programs

NIU is good. Aurora is good too but very expensive. Western Illinois -- Quad Cities campus has a BSN program, and I know that campus has undergone major upgrades and expansion in the past few years with more construction planned. QCA is a pretty quiet place (not too much going on) but the campus is right on the river, and you would be able to focus on your studies in a place with so little to do.

Those are the 3 programs I am most familiar with. Generally, I would think Aurora and WIU-QC would be easier to get into than NIU, but things can change from year to year. University of Illinois Chicago is highly competitive and their prerequisite requirements are much more stringent than any of the other programs I looked at, but I see that school is not on your list.

Each of the schools on your list have very good programs imo, and should all be considered. As for the cost of applying, most state schools have a week or a day (open house type event) where the application fee is waived and/ or waive fees for students in financial need. Ask around at each school you are interested in when and how you can have your application fees waived. Obviously, the more schools you apply to, the better your chances of being accepted to one.

If cost is an issue, I would really consider going the state school route. Yes, private schools often have grants and scholarships that narrow the differential in tuition, but public schools have scholarships available as well. Then again, private schools usually (in general, not sure about nursing specifically) do a better job with job placement (alumni associations, etc.) so there's that to consider.

Some community colleges are setting up BSN programs in conjunction with other institutions because the ADN is slowly being phased out. My local CC announced a partnership with a hospital in Rockford, but the cost for the "bridge" classes to BSN (classes post-ADN) gave me sticker shock when I read how much tuition was going to be.

Good luck exploring your options!