Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Kaskaskia College

Kaskaskia College nursing graduates face an unusual challenge: their earnings actually decline after the first year, dropping from $63,081 to $57,098 by year four. This backward trajectory is concerning in a field where most nurses see steady income growth, and it places the program below the 40th percentile among Illinois nursing programs—meaning six out of ten similar programs in the state produce better long-term outcomes.

The debt picture looks attractive at just $8,250, less than two months' starting salary and well below both the Illinois median ($14,500) and national average ($20,751). But that advantage gets undercut by the earnings decline. By year four, graduates earn roughly $9,000 less than the state median and $11,000 below the national benchmark. Compare this to top Illinois programs like Ambria College of Nursing, where graduates earn over $75,000, or even regional community colleges like Moraine Valley and College of Lake County, where nurses make $72,000+.

The central question is what's driving that earnings drop—whether it reflects part-time work trends, local employment patterns in southern Illinois, or simply graduate choices. For families, the low debt makes this a financially safe option, but you're likely trading that safety for significantly lower earning potential than other accessible nursing programs in Illinois. If staying near Centralia is essential, this works; otherwise, comparing outcomes at community colleges closer to Chicago or St. Louis metropolitan areas would be wise.