Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at MDT College of Health Sciences

MDT College of Health Sciences produces some of the highest-earning practical nursing graduates in Illinois, but you'll pay notably more upfront than at most alternatives. First-year earnings of $54,894 place graduates in the 80th percentile statewide and 92nd percentile nationally—impressive performance that translates to $11,852 more annually than the typical Illinois practical nursing grad. Earnings continue climbing to nearly $59,000 by year four, demonstrating staying power in the field.

The challenge is the $26,250 debt load, which is nearly triple the state median of $9,625 and significantly higher than what you'd pay at community colleges like Illinois Central or Illinois Eastern (both producing $55,000+ earners). That said, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 means a typical graduate earns twice what they borrowed in their first year alone—a manageable burden for these income levels. For context, many bachelor's programs leave students with far worse ratios despite similar or lower earnings.

The school primarily serves low-income students (89% receive Pell grants) and maintains a robust sample size, lending credibility to these outcomes. If your child can access similar programs at community colleges for less debt, that's worth exploring. But if MDT's outcomes reflect stronger clinical partnerships or job placement, the premium may be justified by the earnings advantage that puts graduates ahead of four out of five Illinois peers.