Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Lewis and Clark Community College

A $23,662 starting salary against $12,000 in debt sounds manageable on paper—that's a debt burden you could theoretically handle in about six months of gross earnings. But context matters: this certificate ranks in just the 26th percentile nationally and 40th in Illinois, meaning the majority of similar programs deliver better outcomes. When City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X grads in the same credential earn $36,908, that's a $13,000 annual gap that compounds significantly over time.

The positive spin is that Lewis and Clark keeps debt relatively low compared to other Illinois programs (where the state median is $15,375). With only 21% of students receiving Pell grants, this appears to serve a more financially stable population who may use this certificate as a stepping stone rather than a standalone credential. The small sample size—under 30 graduates—makes it difficult to know whether these numbers represent the typical experience or an off year.

Here's what matters practically: at under $24,000 annually, you're looking at roughly $11-12 per hour full-time, which barely exceeds Illinois minimum wage territory. Unless this certificate is part of a larger educational plan or career pivot, it's functioning more as resume enhancement than economic transformation. If your child needs the flexibility of a community college certificate, just know this sits below average for what these programs typically deliver.