Dominican University-Paulina
7900 W. Division Street, River Forest, IL 60305 · (708) 524-6272
Data: Illinois Nurse Aide Testing (SIU Carbondale, the state's exam vendor) approved list (April 2026); SIU Carbondale INACE 2025 annual cluster scores
- First-time pass rate
- 80.95%21 testers · 2025
- Vs state average
- −12.3points vs 93.24%
- Illinois rank
- #209of 234 programs
- Chicago area rank
- #105of 117 ranked nearby
How Dominican University-Paulina graduates do on the CNA exam
80.95% of 21 first-time test-takers from Dominican University-Paulina passed the written CNA exam in 2025. That is 12.3 points below the Illinois average of 93.24% (all 301 listed programs with results, weighted by testers). It puts the program #209 of 234 Illinois programs with 10 or more testers, and #105 of 117 ranked programs in the Chicago area.
No 2024 result is matched to this program in the same report series, so there's no year-over-year comparison yet.
With 21 testers, one more or one fewer passing student moves the rate by about 4.8 points, so treat small differences with care. Illinois reports the written (knowledge) exam only; the skills test isn't included in this figure.
See the best CNA programs in Chicago by pass rate · All 234 ranked Illinois programs
How Dominican University-Paulina stacks up
- Half of the 234 ranked Illinois programs had a first-time pass rate of at least 96.5% in 2025. At 80.95%, Dominican University-Paulina is in the bottom quarter.
- 175 of the 234 reached 90% or higher.
- It had 21 first-time testers; the middle ranked program had 36, so this is one of the smaller programs. Larger groups give a steadier rate.
- 83 other ranked programs are within 25 miles; 73 had a higher first-time pass rate in 2025; the highest was William Rainey Harper Coll. - Conant H.S. in Palatine (100.0%, about 19 mi away).
Ranked programs are those with 10 or more first-time testers in the SIU Carbondale INACE 2025 annual cluster scores. Distances are straight-line between ZIP code centres.
Program details
| Approval | Illinois Nurse Aide Testing (SIU Carbondale, the state's exam vendor), program 7275 |
| Status | Approved (list dated April 2026) |
| Level | CNA I |
| Format | In person |
| Address | 7900 W. Division Street, River Forest, IL 60305 Cook County |
| Phone | (708) 524-6272 |
| CNA median pay, Chicago area | $46,940 a year ($22.57/hour, BLS) |
Call the program to confirm the next start date, schedule and total cost; the state lists don't publish prices.
Other approved CNA programs near River Forest
| Program | City | Distance | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican University-Cristo Rey San Martin | River Forest | same ZIP | 69.2% |
| Dominican University-River Forest | River Forest | same ZIP | — |
| Kwadwo Antwi Mensah (KAMITH) Institute | Oak Park | 2 mi | 66.7% |
| Oak Park and River Forest High School | Oak Park | 2 mi | 100.0% |
| Loyola University Medical Center | Maywood | 2 mi | — |
| Triton College | River Grove | 2 mi | 93.2% |
Distances are straight-line between ZIP code centres. "—" means fewer than 10 testers or no published rate.
FAQ
What is Dominican University-Paulina's CNA exam pass rate?
80.95% of 21 first-time test-takers from Dominican University-Paulina passed the written CNA exam in 2025. That is 12.3 points below the Illinois average of 93.24% (all 301 listed programs with results, weighted by testers), and #209 of 234 Illinois programs with 10 or more testers.
Is Dominican University-Paulina a state-approved CNA program?
Yes. It is on the official list of approved nurse aide training programs (Illinois Nurse Aide Testing (SIU Carbondale, the state's exam vendor), April 2026) as program 7275. Finishing an approved program makes you eligible for the Illinois CNA exam.
How many hours of training does Illinois require?
120 hours: 62 theory, 18 skills lab, 40 clinical, with at least 12 hours on Alzheimer's and dementia care (77 Ill. Adm. Code 395.150). The exam is run by Southern Illinois University Carbondale (INACE).
How does Dominican University-Paulina compare with CNA programs nearby?
83 other ranked programs are within 25 miles; 73 had a higher first-time pass rate in 2025; the highest was William Rainey Harper Coll. - Conant H.S. in Palatine (100.0%, about 19 mi away).
What other approved CNA programs are near River Forest?
The closest are Dominican University-Cristo Rey San Martin in River Forest (about 1 mi, 69% pass rate), Dominican University-River Forest in River Forest (about 1 mi), Kwadwo Antwi Mensah (KAMITH) Institute in Oak Park (about 2 mi, 67% pass rate). Distances are between ZIP code centres.