Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Southwestern Illinois College

The 41% earnings jump from year one to year four might seem promising at first glance, but the underlying numbers reveal a troubling reality: graduates from Southwestern Illinois College's nursing assistant program start at just $22,351—less than half what peers earn at other Illinois schools. Four years out, when earnings reach $31,437, they're still $12,000 below the state median and rank in just the 10th percentile statewide. Compare this to top Illinois programs where graduates earn $55,000 to $64,000, and the gap becomes stark. Even the relatively low $9,500 debt load doesn't offset starting salaries that barely exceed poverty wages for a family.

Something appears fundamentally different about this program's outcomes compared to similar nursing credentials elsewhere. Whether it's the specific credential offered, the employment pipelines available to graduates, or regional wage differences, students here face a significantly longer runway to stable middle-class earnings than they would at most other Illinois nursing programs. The strong earnings growth suggests graduates do find better opportunities over time, but those first few years will be financially challenging.

If your child is set on this program, understand they'll likely need supplemental income or family support early on. More prudent would be exploring other Illinois community college nursing programs where graduates start closer to $45,000—a difference that matters enormously when building financial independence.