Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at South Suburban College

Illinois nursing programs tell a wide range of stories, but comparable programs suggest South Suburban College falls in the middle of the pack. Similar associate degree nursing programs in the state typically produce first-year earnings around $66,360—roughly $2,000 below the national median and notably trailing the state's top performers like Ambria College of Nursing at $75,461. That $9,000 gap matters for an entry-level nurse paying down student loans.

The estimated debt load of $14,437 works in this program's favor. That's about $6,000 below both the national and Illinois medians for associate nursing degrees, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.22. For context, peer programs in Illinois suggest graduates could feasibly pay off this debt within a year or two of aggressive payments. The relatively low Pell grant enrollment (22%) hints this may already be a financially stable student population, which could ease post-graduation strain.

The practical concern is whether South Suburban's typical outcomes match those stronger-performing Illinois community colleges nearby. The $72,000+ that programs like Moraine Valley or College of Lake County generate represents about $5,600 more annually—money that compounds over a nursing career. With limited actual data available for this specific program, parents should verify clinical placement rates, NCLEX pass rates, and where graduates actually land jobs before committing.