Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Career Center of Southern Illinois

Career Center of Southern Illinois produces graduates who earn above both the state and national medians for practical nursing programs, with relatively modest debt. At $45,941 in first-year earnings and $16,978 in debt, graduates face a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning they owe roughly 4.5 months of salary. Among Illinois practical nursing programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, a solid outcome given that 80% of students receive Pell grants, indicating the school successfully serves lower-income students.

The caveat here is modest earnings growth: graduates see only a 2% increase from year one to year four, reaching $46,721. This is typical for practical nursing roles, which tend to have flatter career trajectories than RN positions. However, the program costs about $7,300 more than the state median debt, which matters when earnings plateau early. Top Illinois programs like Ambria College of Nursing produce graduates earning $64,712, though likely at higher cost and potentially requiring different credentials.

For parents seeking a practical path to stable healthcare employment, this program delivers decent results without crushing debt. The immediate earning power covers the loan burden, and the high Pell grant percentage suggests the school understands its students' financial realities. Just understand your child is entering a field where earnings stabilize quickly rather than grow substantially over time.