Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of St. John's College-Department of Nursing
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic college

St. John's College-Department of Nursing

  • LocationSpringfield, IL
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 93 students
  • SponsorHospital Sisters of St. Francis
  • TraditionFranciscan
Official website

St. John's College of Nursing in Springfield, Illinois is a single-purpose nursing college founded in 1886 by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis. Its official pages describe it as a Catholic institution and describe a Franciscan Formation program.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. John's College-Department of Nursing, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miCathedral of the Immaculate Conception: 1.0 mi1St. Patrick Catholic Church: 1.6 mi2St. Agnes Catholic Church: 1.8 mi3St. Aloysius Catholic Church: 1.8 mi4St. Frances Cabrini Church: 1.9 mi5St. John's College-Department of Nursing (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — 1.0 mi · 524 East Lawrence Avenue, Springfield
  2. St. Patrick Catholic Church — 1.6 mi · 1720 South Grand Avenue East, Springfield
  3. St. Agnes Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 245 North Amos Avenue, Springfield
  4. St. Aloysius Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 2000 East Sangamon Avenue, Springfield
  5. St. Frances Cabrini Church — 1.9 mi · 1020 North Milton Avenue, Springfield

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Weekday Mass on campus during the academic yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Sunday Mass on campus (including Saturday vigil)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Scheduled confession on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adorationNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Priests serving studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Chapel open for prayer on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adorationNot enough information: no verified Mass times are recorded.
FTheology and core curriculum: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and core curriculum

0 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Theology or religious studies courses required of all bachelor's studentsNone required (The published required general education list for BSN entry includes no theology course; the 56 transfer credits are listed in full.)
    Sources (1)
    1. General Education Requirements | St. John's College of Nursinghshs.org/st-johns-college/admissions/general-education-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “General Education Required Courses Anatomy and Physiology I with lab Anatomy and Physiology II with lab Composition I Composition II Lifespan Development/Human Development/Human Growth and Development Microbiology with lab”
      The required general education courses for BSN entry include no theology or philosophy course.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Required theology includes explicitly Catholic content (Scripture, Catholic tradition, sacraments)The requirement can be met with no Catholic theology content (No theology course is required; the requirement can be met with no Catholic theology content.)
    Sources (1)
    1. General Education Requirements | St. John's College of Nursinghshs.org/st-johns-college/admissions/general-education-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “General Education Required Courses Anatomy and Physiology I with lab Anatomy and Physiology II with lab Composition I Composition II Lifespan Development/Human Development/Human Growth and Development Microbiology with lab”
      The required general education courses for BSN entry include no theology or philosophy course.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Philosophy courses required of all bachelor's studentsNone required (Philosophy appears only as a recommended elective, not a requirement.)
    Sources (1)
    1. General Education Requirements | St. John's College of Nursinghshs.org/st-johns-college/admissions/general-education-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “General Education Required Courses Anatomy and Physiology I with lab Anatomy and Physiology II with lab Composition I Composition II Lifespan Development/Human Development/Human Growth and Development Microbiology with lab”
      The required general education courses for BSN entry include no theology or philosophy course.
      “the following general education elective courses are recommended, but not required.”
      Philosophy is listed only as a recommended elective, not a requirement.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Core curriculum explicitly draws on the Catholic intellectual traditionNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Theology or religious studies major offeredNo (Single-purpose nursing college.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Undergraduate Program Handbook 2025-2026 | St. John's College of Nursinghshs.org/getmedia/9faa8476-669e-47ee-b6f1-93f3438f7431/SJC_Undergrad-Handbook_2025-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “St. John’s College is a single purpose college educating baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral nursing students.”
      The college describes its purpose as single-purpose nursing education; no theology major is listed.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Publicly affirms Ex Corde Ecclesiae in mission or governance documentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/ACampus culture and residence life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture and residence life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Campus ministry staffing (chaplains, ministers, and professional staff)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Retreats offered to students each yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic student organizations and faith-formation groupsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Single-sex residence optionsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Overnight guest policy in residence hallsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith life in residence halls (hall chaplains, hall Masses, or faith-based living communities)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Office or senior officer for mission and Catholic identityNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/AService and Catholic social teaching: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Service and Catholic social teaching

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Service or volunteer centerNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Service-learning or community engagement in the curriculumNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching in the curriculum (course, minor, center, or core requirement)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (student pro-life group, support for pregnant and parenting students, or institutional initiatives)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersion trips, poverty, migration, or care-for-creation initiatives)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Service explicitly rooted in the Catholic mission (run with campus ministry or the mission office, or framed by Catholic social teaching)Not enough information: not found in official sources.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • The college describes itself in its website and handbook as a Catholic institution of higher education.
    Sources (1)
    1. About Us | St. John's College of Nursinghshs.org/st-johns-college/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “St. John's College is a Catholic institution of higher education dedicated to providing quality nursing”
      The college describes itself as a Catholic institution of higher education.
  • A Franciscan Formation program supports Franciscan leadership and values for the college community.
    Sources (1)
    1. Undergraduate Program Handbook 2025-2026 | St. John's College of Nursinghshs.org/getmedia/9faa8476-669e-47ee-b6f1-93f3438f7431/SJC_Undergrad-Handbook_2025-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The goal of the St. John’s College Franciscan Formation is to strengthen the understanding and Franciscan leadership”
      The college runs a Franciscan Formation program for its community.
  • A Silver Cord award recognizes students for service and volunteering, tied to Franciscan values.
    Sources (1)
    1. Undergraduate Program Handbook 2025-2026 | St. John's College of Nursinghshs.org/getmedia/9faa8476-669e-47ee-b6f1-93f3438f7431/SJC_Undergrad-Handbook_2025-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In connection with our Franciscan values, the Silver Cord Award is a distinguished service award available to students who have made significant contributions in service and volunteering to St. John’s College of Nursing.”
      A Silver Cord award recognizes student service and volunteering, tied to Franciscan values.

Concerns

  • The required general education list includes no theology course.
    Sources (1)
    1. General Education Requirements | St. John's College of Nursinghshs.org/st-johns-college/admissions/general-education-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “General Education Required Courses Anatomy and Physiology I with lab Anatomy and Physiology II with lab Composition I Composition II Lifespan Development/Human Development/Human Growth and Development Microbiology with lab”
      The required general education courses for BSN entry include no theology or philosophy course.
  • Philosophy is listed only as a recommended elective, not a required course.
    Sources (1)
    1. General Education Requirements | St. John's College of Nursinghshs.org/st-johns-college/admissions/general-education-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “the following general education elective courses are recommended, but not required.”
      Philosophy is listed only as a recommended elective, not a requirement.

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Academic Excellence

Academic Excellence is computed for four-year colleges with at least 100 undergraduates. Seminaries, graduate-only schools, and two-year colleges are not rated.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
76
Total students93
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
—
Cost of attendance (per year)—
Median federal debt at graduation$18,750
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
—
First-year retention—
Median earnings 10 years after entry$86,331
Admission rate—
Students receiving Pell grants30%

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Springfield in Illinois

The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield in Illinois

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county using NCES Catholic school records. Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. John's College-Department of Nursing a Catholic college?
Yes. St. John's College-Department of Nursing is a Catholic college in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Its sponsor is Hospital Sisters of St. Francis.

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