Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Blessing Rieman's nursing program produces graduates earning roughly $10,000 less annually than the typical Illinois nursing program—a significant gap in a field known for stable, strong pay. While the debt load is reasonable at $25,571, the earnings tell a more troubling story: these graduates rank in just the 5th percentile nationally and the 40th percentile statewide. That means 95% of nursing programs across the country launch graduates into higher-paying positions, and even within Illinois, more than half of comparable programs offer better earning potential.

The practical impact is substantial. First-year nurses from this program start at $63,335, compared to $73,156 at the state median—that's nearly $10,000 in lost annual income that compounds over time. Even top-performing graduates here would likely earn less than average graduates from schools like Governors State or Benedictine. The modest 6% earnings growth over four years offers little hope of closing this gap. With 37% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on nursing to provide economic mobility, but this program's outcomes suggest they'd be better served elsewhere.

For an in-state student committed to Illinois nursing programs, this represents one of the weaker options available. The debt is manageable, but earning $10,000 less per year for decades means significantly reduced lifetime earnings—enough to dwarf any tuition savings. Unless location or personal circumstances make other Illinois nursing programs inaccessible, families should explore alternatives with stronger graduate outcomes.