Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Roosevelt University

Roosevelt University's nursing program lands squarely in the middle of Illinois options, performing better than state medians but falling short of top programs like Chamberlain ($83,188) and Governors State ($80,391). At $75,231, first-year earnings rank in the 60th percentile statewide—respectable for an institution serving a largely working-class student body (46% receive Pell grants), though the gap to top performers is real and worth considering.

The debt picture offers an advantage: $31,000 represents the 24th percentile nationally, meaning three-quarters of nursing programs saddle students with more debt. Combined with solid earnings, the 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable—graduates earn nearly 2.5 times their debt in the first year. That's a workable foundation for loan repayment, particularly in Chicago's competitive healthcare market where nursing salaries tend to grow with experience.

For families prioritizing affordability over prestige, Roosevelt delivers functional value. The 94% admission rate means access isn't a barrier, and the program produces employable nurses who earn above state medians. However, if your child can access programs at Governors State or Benedictine—both offering $5,000-7,000 higher starting salaries—those earnings differences compound meaningfully over a career. Roosevelt works as a solid backup option, but isn't the ceiling for nursing education in Illinois.