Housing and Human Environments at Lake Land College

The $12,355 first-year earnings from Lake Land College's Housing and Human Environments certificate tells a story of two very different realities. Nationally, this program ranks dead last—just 5th percentile—earning barely half what graduates make elsewhere. Yet within Illinois, it's actually above median among the two schools offering this program. The contrast reveals how weak this credential performs everywhere, not just at Lake Land.

The modest $5,677 debt load is the only bright spot here. With earnings less than minimum wage on a full-time basis, graduates appear to be working part-time or in roles unrelated to their credential. Even with low debt, when you're earning just over $1,000 per month, that loan becomes a burden. The program serves primarily non-traditional students (given the certificate format), but the post-graduation earnings suggest it's not functioning as an effective workforce credential or stepping stone to better employment.

For a family considering this certificate as a pathway to stable income, the numbers simply don't support it. While Lake Land isn't doing worse than other Illinois options, the entire program category appears to lack labor market value. If housing or community development is the goal, explore associate degrees in related fields where graduates consistently earn above $20,000 their first year out. This certificate's low cost limits the financial damage, but it doesn't appear to open meaningful career doors.