Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Black Hawk College

Black Hawk College's practical nursing program starts graduates at $46,000—above both the Illinois median ($43,042) and national average ($44,134)—but with a small catch worth noting. The debt load of $12,467 is manageable at just 0.27 times first-year earnings, meaning graduates could reasonably pay this off within a year or two of focused effort. Among Illinois nursing programs, this ranks around the 60th percentile for earnings, which is solid if unspectacular.

The concern is the slight earnings dip to $44,565 by year four, though with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, that decline may not reflect a reliable pattern. More telling is the comparison to top Illinois programs: places like Ambria College of Nursing and Verve College show graduates earning $20,000 more annually. Still, those programs likely come with higher costs and more competitive admissions.

For parents seeking a practical path into nursing without crushing debt, Black Hawk delivers reasonable value. Your child enters the workforce quickly, earns above-average for the credential, and carries minimal financial burden. Just understand this positions them as an LPN or nursing assistant rather than an RN—a different career trajectory with a lower ceiling but faster entry to employment.