Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Lewis and Clark Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
lc.eduAnalysis
With just $9,480 in debt—well below both the state and national medians for this credential—Lewis and Clark Community College's nursing program offers a manageable entry point into healthcare. That low debt burden translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22, meaning graduates can expect to earn their total borrowing back in roughly three months based on comparable Illinois programs, which typically produce first-year earnings around $43,000.
The puzzling drop to $25,704 by year four deserves attention. This could reflect part-time work patterns common among LPNs with family obligations, career transitions to higher credentials, or data quirks from the small sample size. Illinois nursing programs show wide variation in outcomes—top performers like Ambria College of Nursing see graduates earning $64,712, suggesting that workplace, specialty, and geographic choices matter significantly for practical nurses in this state.
The low debt makes this a relatively low-risk credential to test the healthcare field, particularly if your child plans to work immediately and potentially bridge to an RN program later. Just recognize that the earnings trajectory here appears unusual compared to typical nursing paths, and the estimates suggest this program sits in the middle of the pack among Illinois options rather than at the top.
Where Lewis and Clark Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis and Clark Community College | — | $25,704 | — |
| Verve College | $63,593 | $63,546 | -0% |
| MDT College of Health Sciences | $54,894 | $58,778 | +7% |
| Ambria College of Nursing | $64,712 | $58,774 | -9% |
| Danville Area Community College | $26,484 | $57,241 | +116% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (56 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lewis and Clark Community CollegeGodfrey | $3,552 | $43,042* | $25,704 | $9,480 | — |
 Ambria College of NursingHoffman Estates | — | $64,712* | $58,774 | $11,878 | 0.18 |
 Verve CollegeOak Brook | — | $63,593* | $63,546 | $14,933 | 0.23 |
 Illinois Eastern Community CollegesOlney | $4,390 | $56,008* | — | $7,500 | 0.13 |
 CAAN Academy of NursingMatteson | — | $55,822* | — | $22,398 | 0.40 |
 Illinois Central CollegeEast Peoria | $4,650 | $55,604* | — | $12,700 | 0.23 |
| National Median | — | $44,134* | — | $14,803 | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Lewis and Clark Community College, approximately 21% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 27 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.