Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Illinois Valley Community College

Illinois Valley Community College's practical nursing graduates earn significantly less than they should—landing in the bottom 10th percentile among Illinois nursing programs. First-year earnings of $29,115 fall $14,000 short of the state median and $15,000 below the national average. Compare this to Illinois Central College, where similar graduates earn $55,604, nearly double what IVCC graduates make. Even among other community colleges in Illinois, IVCC's outcomes lag substantially.

The modest $7,058 debt load is the program's only redeeming feature, coming in well below both state and national averages. This low borrowing keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio reasonable at 0.24, meaning graduates can theoretically manage repayment. However, that calculation doesn't change the fundamental problem: these are poverty-level wages for a healthcare credential that should reliably support a middle-class income. The 8% earnings growth over four years barely keeps pace with inflation.

For parents considering this program, the critical question is why IVCC graduates earn half what they could elsewhere in Illinois. Whether it's clinical partnerships, job placement networks, or preparation quality, something isn't working. If staying in the Illinois Valley region is necessary, investigate whether graduates struggle to find full-time positions or are funneled into lower-paying care settings. Otherwise, a different Illinois community college would likely deliver substantially better returns on the same investment of time and money.