Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Ambria College of Nursing

Ambria College of Nursing graduates earn substantially more than typical Illinois nursing associates—$75,461 versus the state median of $66,360—but they're paying roughly 2.5 times the typical state debt burden to get there. At $36,518 in student loans, this is among the highest-debt associate nursing programs in the state, where the median is just $14,500.

The earnings trajectory looks solid: graduates see 15% income growth over four years, reaching nearly $87,000. Those first-year earnings rank in the 79th percentile nationally and 60th percentile statewide, placing Ambria in the upper half of Illinois programs but still trailing community colleges like Moraine Valley ($73,137) and College of Lake County ($72,472)—schools where students typically borrow far less. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 is manageable by national standards, meaning graduates should be able to handle their loans, but it's worth noting that comparable Illinois nursing programs achieve similar or better outcomes with half the debt.

For families comfortable with higher borrowing costs in exchange for a private college experience, Ambria delivers competitive nursing salaries. But for those prioritizing value—especially given that nursing is a credential-driven field where an associate degree from any accredited program opens similar doors—the state's community colleges offer a more economical path to nearly identical earnings.