Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Danville Area Community College

Danville Area Community College's nursing program graduates carry remarkably low debt—$11,372, compared to the state median of $14,500 and national median over $20,000—but the earnings trajectory raises questions. Starting salaries of $67,152 are respectable, placing graduates above Illinois' state median, yet four years later earnings drop to $61,077. This 9% decline is unusual in nursing, where experience typically commands higher pay.

The debt picture offers genuine advantage. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.17, graduates can pay off loans quickly even if they face that earnings dip. However, the downward earnings trend suggests graduates may be entering lower-paying specialties, working part-time, or facing local market constraints in the Danville area. For context, top Illinois community college nursing programs like Moraine Valley and College of Lake County see graduates earning $72,000-$73,000, about $11,000 more than Danville's four-year mark.

If your child plans to work near Danville or values minimal debt above maximum earnings, this program delivers solid entry-level preparation without financial burden. But if they're aiming for higher-paying specialties or metropolitan markets, they should understand they're starting from Illinois' middle tier, not the top, and will likely need additional credentials or geographic flexibility to match what peer programs achieve.