Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Northwestern College

Northwestern College's nursing program carries significantly more debt than typical Illinois nursing programs—nearly three times the state median of $14,500—while producing earnings that land squarely in the middle of the pack for Illinois. With first-year graduates earning $62,746 (just under the $66,360 state median), students here face a debt burden that takes roughly 7.5 months of gross income to repay versus about 2.6 months at the typical Illinois nursing program. Several nearby community colleges deliver comparable or better outcomes with dramatically less debt: Moraine Valley and College of Lake County graduates earn $73,000+ with likely far lower borrowing.

The positive news is that earnings grow solidly—25% by year four, reaching $78,269—and the 75% Pell grant rate suggests this program serves students who may have limited alternatives. Nursing remains one of the most reliable career paths, and these salary levels do support the debt load financially (0.61 ratio is manageable). However, that debt will eat into your child's early financial flexibility in ways it wouldn't at most Illinois nursing programs.

If Northwestern offers specific advantages—location, schedule flexibility, stronger clinical placement support—it might justify the premium. But purely on the numbers, this looks like paying private college prices for middle-of-the-road outcomes when Illinois has exceptional community college nursing programs at a fraction of the cost.