Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

A debt load of roughly $26,500 for a nursing certificate might seem manageable given what similar programs produce in first-year earnings—around $66,400 nationally. That 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates would dedicate less than half their first year's salary to eliminating debt, which is relatively comfortable territory. However, these figures come from peer programs across the country, not from Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing's own graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty in projecting your child's specific outcome.

Illinois nursing programs paint a somewhat different picture than the national average. The state median sits at $60,300 in first-year earnings while carrying slightly higher debt of $28,900. If Saint Francis follows Illinois patterns rather than national ones, the math becomes tighter—your child might earn about $6,000 less annually while potentially carrying similar or higher debt than the estimates suggest. The single comparable program with reported data in Illinois (Graham Hospital School of Nursing) aligns with that lower state median, not the rosier national figure.

The fundamental value proposition of nursing credentials remains strong, but recognize you're making this decision with limited visibility into Saint Francis's specific outcomes. If your child is serious about nursing and this program offers clinical training advantages or local hospital connections that matter for their career, the investment could work. Just don't bank on the higher national earnings figure—the Illinois market appears more modest.