Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Lake Land College

The sharp earnings decline at Lake Land College's nursing program—from $41,756 in year one to just $26,042 by year four—demands explanation. This 38% drop is highly unusual in healthcare, where earnings typically rise with experience. It could signal graduates leaving the profession, shifting to part-time work, or taking lower-paying positions after gaining experience. Whatever the cause, it's a red flag that distinguishes this program from typical nursing career trajectories.

The low debt load of $7,750 is genuinely impressive, sitting in the 95th percentile nationally and well below Illinois's state median of $9,625. That minimal burden provides crucial flexibility if graduates do end up changing careers or reducing hours. However, the first-year earnings already lag behind both the state median ($43,042) and rank only in the 40th percentile among Illinois programs—compare that to Illinois Central College's $55,604 or even sister community college Illinois Eastern's $56,008, all serving similar regions.

For families prioritizing immediate job placement with minimal debt, this program delivers on affordability. But the dramatic mid-career earnings collapse is concerning enough that prospective students should investigate what's happening to recent graduates. At these income levels by year four, this certificate may function more as a short-term employment bridge than a sustainable career foundation, even with the minimal debt making that bridge relatively cheap to cross.