Northern Illinois University School of Nursing

What Northern Illinois University School of Nursing does

Northern Illinois University School of Nursing is a constituent academic unit of Northern Illinois University's College of Health and Human Sciences, located at the NIU Wellness and Literacy Center, 3100 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, Illinois. The school delivers pre-licensure and graduate nursing education — a CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (currently five semesters, transitioning to four semesters in fall 2026), an online RN-B.S. completion program, an online M.S. in Nursing with Education or Family Nurse Practitioner specializations, and online B.S.-to-D.N.P. and M.S.-to-D.N.P. pathways. Its technology footprint centers on state-of-the-art nursing simulation and skills laboratories, supported by over 230 clinical experiences with regional healthcare partners across northern Illinois, and it graduates cohorts eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. The school's broader college context adds six on-campus clinics and laboratories (including the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, Physical Therapy Clinic, Child Development and Family Center, Couple and Family Therapy Clinic, and Medical Laboratory Observer) and 900+ workplace experiences.

The business model is tuition- and fee-driven, supplemented by ancillary revenue from the NAEYC-accredited Child Development and Family Center, which bills families on a four-payment-per-semester cadence. Customer segments are diversified across prospective BSN students, graduate health sciences students, HDFS students, public health students, and NIU community families using child care services. Distribution occurs through NIU Undergraduate Admissions, the NIU Graduate School plus CSDCAS for SLP/Audiology, and clinical practicum partnerships; marketing is primarily top-of-funnel via the NIU/CHHS websites, student spotlights, social media, the CHHS news site, campus events such as STEM Fest, and academic advising. The school also hosts the Illinois DCFS Child Protection Training Academy, a state-contracted simulation-based workforce training program mandated under Public Act 99-348, generating a secondary revenue stream tied to public-sector workforce development. Financially, the unit operates as part of a public state university governed by the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University, with no equity funding, parent company, or stock listing.

Name

Northern Illinois University School of Nursing

Legal name

Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University

Website

https://chhs.niu.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Northern Illinois University School of Nursing delivers CCNE-accredited pre-licensure BSN, RN-BSN completion, MS (Education/FNP), and DNP nursing programs supported by simulation labs and 230+ regional clinical partnerships, serving prospective and graduate nursing students, with ancillary child care and DCFS workforce training operations within NIU's College of Health and Human Sciences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nursing Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Schools of Nursing (EDAHAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Allied Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Schools (PT/OT/SLP, etc.) (EDAHAGAH), Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF), Nursing Assistant (CNA) & Patient Care Technician (PCT) (EDAOAJAB), Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC)

Keywords

• Nursing education
• Undergraduate nursing programs
• Graduate nursing programs
• Clinical simulation training
• Healthcare workforce preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

DeKalb

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: The primary revenue stream is tuition and fees from enrolled students in nursing and health sciences programs. Graduate and undergraduate tuition rates are set by NIU and vary by residency status.
2. Child Care Services: The Child Development and Family Center generates revenue through child care enrollment fees, with different rates for student status, faculty/staff, age groups, and full-time or part-time care. Parents are billed four equal payments each semester.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Northern Illinois University School of Nursing delivers CCNE-accredited nursing education programs spanning the B.S. in Nursing (transitioning from five to four semesters starting fall 2026), an online RN-B.S. completion track, an M.S. in Nursing with Education or Family Nurse Practitioner specializations, and B.S.-to-D.N.P. and M.S.-to-D.N.P. pathways. Programs prepare graduates for NCLEX-RN licensure and advanced practice roles, leveraging state-of-the-art simulation laboratories and over 230 clinical experiences with regional healthcare partners.

Product overview

Northern Illinois University School of Nursing offers a portfolio of nursing education programs spanning undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The core offering is the CCNE-accredited B.S. in Nursing program (transitioning from five to four semesters starting fall 2026), which prepares students for NCLEX-RN licensure. The school complements this with online degree completion options (RN-B.S.), graduate degrees (M.S. in Nursing with Education or FNP specializations), and doctoral programs (B.S. to D.N.P. and M.S. to D.N.P. pathways). Supporting these academic programs are state-of-the-art nursing laboratories. The programs collectively address workforce needs in nursing education, family nurse practice, and advanced nursing leadership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B.S. in Nursing A five-semester (transitioning to four semesters starting fall 2026) Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree that prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN licensure and careers as nursing generalists. Includes over 230 clinical experiences with regional healthcare partners.
• RN-B.S. in Nursing (Online) An online degree completion program for currently licensed registered nurses to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing through NIU's online platform.
• M.S. in Nursing - Education or FNP Specialization Master of Science in Nursing program with specializations in Nursing Education or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), delivered online.
• B.S. to D.N.P. Doctor of Nursing Practice Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Nursing Practice pathway program, delivered online, preparing advanced practice nurses for terminal-degree roles.
• M.S. to D.N.P. - Doctor of Nursing Practice Master of Science to Doctor of Nursing Practice pathway program, delivered online, for advanced practice nurses seeking a terminal degree.
• Nursing Simulation and Skills Laboratories State-of-the-art nursing simulation and skills laboratories supporting hands-on clinical training for nursing students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% three-year average graduation rate for speech-language pathology program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (IDCFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCFS Child Protection Training Academy (CPTA) at NIU partnership provides training to child welfare workers through classroom and engaged learning experiences. Located in the School of Clinical and Developmental Sciences, the academy offers immersive professional development with multiple simulation environments in Wirtz Hall and Grant Towers. Part of DCFS response to Public Act 99-348 requiring simulation experiences for DCFS staff.
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUIUC manages DCFS-CTPA-UIUC in Chicago, Illinois as part of the statewide network of DCFS Child Protection Training Academies.
• Illinois State University School of Social WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISU manages DCFS-CTPA-ISU in Bloomington as part of the statewide network of DCFS Child Protection Training Academies.
• 300+ External Clinical Affiliation SitescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 300 external clinical sites including hospitals, rehab centers and school districts for full-time clinical experiences for speech-language pathology graduate students.
• Medical Laboratory Sciences Clinical AffiliatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClinical affiliates provide practicum experiences for Medical Laboratory Sciences students. Program is accredited by NAACLS and prepares students for ASCP board certification.
• Regional Healthcare PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 230 clinical experiences with regional healthcare partners for nursing students throughout northern Illinois.
• Illinois GatewaysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for early childhood credentials through Illinois Gateways to opportunity for students in Human Development and Family Sciences programs.
• National Council on Family Relations (NCFR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential preparation for HDFS graduates.
• Association of Child Life ProfessionalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) certification preparation through coursework alignment.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASHA's Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology provides accreditation for Au.D. and M.A. speech-language pathology programs. Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) available to graduates.
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCNE provides accreditation for the baccalaureate degree nursing program. Curriculum approved by Committee on Nursing of the Illinois Department of Professional Financial Regulation.
• National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAACLS provides accreditation for the Medical Laboratory Sciences program. Graduates are eligible for ASCP board of certification exam.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing: Private Jesuit nursing school in Illinois offering BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Competes for Illinois nursing applicants and faculty, with overlapping CCNE-accredited curriculum and clinical training.
• Rush University College of Nursing: Chicago-based nursing college offering BSN, MSN, and DNP programs with strong hospital-based clinical training in the same regional market as NIU. Comparable in program mix and Illinois applicant competition.
• University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing: Public Illinois-based nursing school offering BSN, MSN, and DNP programs with similar CCNE accreditation and urban clinical partnerships. Direct competitor for Illinois nursing applicants and faculty talent.
• Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing: Public Illinois nursing school offering BSN, MSN, and DNP pathways with CCNE accreditation and regional clinical placements. Directly comparable peer competing for the same Illinois applicant pool.
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing: Public Illinois nursing school with BSN, MSN, and DNP offerings and CCNE accreditation. Comparable peer competing across Illinois for nursing applicants and faculty.
• DePaul University College of Science and Health: Chicago-based health sciences college offering nursing and allied health programs. Overlaps with NIU CHHS in undergraduate health professions training and the Illinois applicant pool.

Emerging players

• Western Governors University College of Health Professions: Online, competency-based university offering accredited BSN, MSN, and DNP programs nationally. Represents the online-first model that competes with NIU's RN-BSN, MSN, and DNP online programs for non-traditional and out-of-state learners.

Regional players

• University of Iowa College of Nursing: Public Midwest research university nursing college with BSN through PhD programs and strong NCLEX outcomes. Comparable in public university model and clinical research depth, though serves a different state applicant pool.
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing: Public Midwest nursing school offering BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Similar public-university nursing model but serves a different state and does not directly compete in Illinois.
• Purdue University Northwest College of Nursing: Public Indiana-based nursing college with BSN and graduate programs in a nearby Midwest market. Comparable in program structure and regional applicant dynamics but does not directly compete in Illinois.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NIUlive
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NorthernIllUniv
• Facebookfacebook.com/niuchhs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northern-illinois-university-school-of-nursing
• Instagraminstagram.com/northern_illinois_university

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Northern Illinois University School of Nursing