Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Concordia University-Chicago

Illinois nursing programs show considerable variation in early earnings, with some schools' graduates earning $10,000 more than others. Based on comparable nursing programs in Illinois—specifically the typical outcomes from 33 similar bachelor's programs—Concordia-Chicago's nursing students would likely see first-year earnings around $73,000, which sits at the state median but trails stronger regional programs like Chamberlain ($83,000) and Governors State ($80,000).

The estimated $27,000 debt load produces a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning the typical graduate would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary. This aligns exactly with both state and national medians for nursing programs, suggesting a standard financial picture rather than an exceptional value or concerning burden. For a field with consistent demand and predictable licensing requirements, this debt level shouldn't prevent graduates from entering the profession comfortably.

The limitation here is uncertainty about what distinguishes Concordia-Chicago from peer programs. The nursing market rewards specific clinical experiences, hospital partnerships, and NCLEX pass rates—factors that drive the earnings gap between Illinois programs. Without program-specific outcomes, you're betting that Concordia performs at the state median rather than matching the stronger outcomes seen at nearby competitors. Given nursing's generally stable career trajectory, this is a safer bet than in many fields, but the $7,000-$10,000 potential difference in starting salary is worth investigating through direct conversations with the school about job placement and clinical rotations.