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

College of DuPage's nursing program hits the sweet spot many Illinois families are looking for: strong earning potential with manageable debt. At $69,105 in first-year earnings, graduates are earning above both the Illinois median ($66,360) and the national median ($68,409), placing them in the 60th percentile statewide. The debt load of $15,750 is slightly above the Illinois median but translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.23—meaning graduates earn their entire debt back in roughly three months.

The numbers get more interesting when you look at the competitive landscape. While College of DuPage doesn't crack the top five Illinois nursing programs (those range from $72,000 to $75,000 in first-year earnings), the difference is only $3,000-6,000 annually—and often these comparison programs may have different admission requirements or higher costs. For an associate's degree that launches graduates into solid middle-class earnings immediately, this represents a reliable path rather than an exceptional one.

For families weighing community college nursing options in the Chicago suburbs, this program delivers what it promises: quick entry into a stable career without crushing debt. The moderate sample size suggests steady enrollment, and the combination of above-average earnings with below-average debt relative to the program's cost makes this a straightforward investment.