Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at College of Lake County

College of Lake County's nursing program stands out for one big reason: extraordinarily low debt. At just $12,005, graduates carry roughly half the debt of typical Illinois nursing programs and less than 60% of the national median. Combined with strong first-year earnings of $72,472, this creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.17—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in just two months of work.

The tradeoff? While first-year earnings rank solidly in the 60th percentile among Illinois nursing programs, they dip slightly by year four—a pattern sometimes seen when new nurses' overtime or shift differentials normalize. Even so, the decline from $72,472 to $69,609 is modest and graduates still out-earn the Illinois state median of $66,360. The program sits in the middle of the pack among stronger Illinois nursing schools, trailing Ambria and Moraine Valley but matching the performance of established programs at Joliet Junior College and Elgin Community College.

For families weighing options, this program offers a financially prudent path into nursing. The minimal debt load provides genuine flexibility—whether that's choosing lower-paying specialties, pursuing further education, or simply avoiding years of loan payments. It's not the highest-earning program in the state, but the combination of market-rate salaries and remarkably low debt makes this a lower-risk investment than most alternatives.