Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Prairie State College

Prairie State College's practical nursing program produces troubling outcomes that place it among the weakest performers in Illinois. Graduates earn just $30,067 in their first year—roughly $13,000 below what similar programs across the state deliver and in the bottom 10th percentile statewide. This gap is significant: students at top Illinois programs like Ambria College of Nursing or Verve College earn more than double what Prairie State graduates make, and even mid-tier community colleges produce median earnings around $55,000.

While the $12,554 debt load seems manageable in absolute terms, it's actually above the state median for this program, and when paired with such low earnings, it creates a concerning financial picture. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 means graduates are carrying debt equivalent to nearly half their annual income—workable but tight for someone earning $30,000. More troubling is what these numbers suggest about job placement or program preparation, since practical nursing typically offers stable entry-level earnings nationwide.

For families considering this program, the comparison is stark: within Illinois alone, dozens of community colleges offer the same credential with earnings trajectories nearly double what Prairie State delivers. Unless there are compelling geographic or personal circumstances making this the only accessible option, prospective students should seriously examine alternative nursing programs in the state that demonstrate consistently stronger graduate outcomes.