Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Sauk Valley Community College

The sharp earnings drop at Sauk Valley's practical nursing program—from $36,277 in year one to $21,983 by year four—is alarming and unusual for a healthcare field that typically offers stable employment. While the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means we should interpret these numbers cautiously, this 39% decline suggests graduates may be struggling to maintain full-time nursing positions or are leaving the field entirely. For comparison, the state's median for this program is $43,042, putting Sauk Valley in just the 25th percentile among Illinois schools—well below peers like Illinois Central College ($55,604) and far from the state's top performers near $64,000.

The $15,742 debt load is relatively modest and close to the national median, but it becomes more concerning when paired with these declining earnings. A 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio based on first-year income looks manageable, but by year four, that same debt becomes a much heavier burden relative to the $22,000 salary. Given that 35% of students here receive Pell grants, many families can't afford a credential that doesn't deliver stable earning power.

With 56 nursing programs across Illinois, families have better options. The unusually steep earnings decline—combined with below-average starting salaries—suggests something may be off with either the program's training quality, clinical placement support, or employer connections. Unless you can verify recent improvements, consider programs with more stable earnings trajectories.