Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at John A Logan College

With fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers come with significant uncertainty, but they suggest John A Logan's practical nursing program may lag behind state alternatives. First-year earnings of $39,802 fall below both the Illinois median ($43,042) and national average ($44,134), placing graduates at the 40th percentile within Illinois—meaning 60% of similar programs in the state produce better outcomes. The gap is meaningful: top Illinois programs like Ambria College of Nursing and Illinois Central College see graduates earning $20,000+ more in that first year.

The $12,000 debt load sits above the state median and translates to a 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio—manageable on paper, but less impressive given the below-average starting salary. You're financing a credential that appears to deliver less earning power than most Illinois competitors. While the relatively modest debt keeps this from being a financial disaster, practical nursing is meant to be a quick path to steady income, and stronger programs in the state demonstrate significantly better results.

If your child has multiple acceptance letters from Illinois nursing programs, prioritize those with documented higher earnings. If this is the most convenient or only accessible option, the debt remains reasonable enough to service—just recognize you're likely trading geographic convenience for around $3,000-4,000 less in annual starting income compared to the state median.