Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Benedictine University
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Benedictine University's nursing program lands graduates right at the top of Illinois's competitive nursing landscape—60th percentile statewide—with starting salaries around $80,000. More impressive is the remarkably low debt burden of just $17,188, giving this program one of the best debt-to-earnings ratios you'll find anywhere in nursing. While graduates aren't quite matching the top earner (Chamberlain at $83,000), they're beating most Illinois nursing programs while carrying roughly $10,000 less debt than the state median.
The tradeoff is minimal earnings growth after graduation—just 2% over four years—meaning most financial gains happen immediately upon entering the workforce. For nursing, where salaries often plateau quickly due to standardized hospital pay scales, this isn't unusual. The real story here is financial accessibility: 39% of students receive Pell grants, yet they graduate with manageable debt and strong immediate earning power.
For families prioritizing affordability alongside solid career outcomes, this represents excellent value. Your child enters the workforce earning well above national nursing averages, owes less than half what most nursing grads carry, and can start building wealth immediately rather than spending years digging out of debt.
Where Benedictine University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Benedictine University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Benedictine University graduates earn $80k, placing them in the 71th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (41 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benedictine University | $80,136 | $81,995 | $17,188 | 0.21 |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | $83,188 | $81,995 | $39,146 | 0.47 |
| Governors State University | $80,391 | $97,713 | $27,342 | 0.34 |
| Saint Xavier University | $78,285 | $74,864 | $27,188 | 0.35 |
| Loyola University Chicago | $76,869 | $77,492 | $27,000 | 0.35 |
| Lewis University | $76,766 | $78,313 | $27,000 | 0.35 |
| National Median | $74,888 | — | $27,000 | 0.36 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in Illinois
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Illinois schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain University-Illinois Addison | $20,604 | $83,188 | $39,146 |
| Governors State University University Park | $11,320 | $80,391 | $27,342 |
| Saint Xavier University Chicago | $36,840 | $78,285 | $27,188 |
| Loyola University Chicago Chicago | $51,716 | $76,869 | $27,000 |
| Lewis University Romeoville | $37,882 | $76,766 | $27,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Benedictine University, approximately 39% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 118 graduates with reported earnings and 125 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.