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

Oakton's nursing program graduates start strong at $69,434—above both state and national medians—but here's what matters most: they do it with just $10,000 in debt, less than half the Illinois median and among the lowest debt loads of any nursing program in the country. That 0.14 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under two months of work.

The slight dip in earnings by year four is worth noting (down to $67,451), but in context of community college nursing programs, this is fairly common as earnings stabilize. More importantly, Oakton graduates still earn more than the typical Illinois nursing graduate at the four-year mark, and they got there with minimal financial burden. While top Illinois programs like Ambria College and Moraine Valley show higher earnings, the debt-earnings tradeoff at Oakton is compelling—you're looking at 60th percentile earnings with 95th percentile (best tier) debt outcomes.

For families weighing community college nursing options in Illinois, this is a solid financial foundation. Your child enters the workforce quickly, earns a competitive salary immediately, and carries virtually no debt burden. That financial flexibility in those first working years—to save, buy a home, or pursue further education—often outweighs an extra $3,000-6,000 in annual earnings, especially when you factor in the lower total cost of attendance at a community college.