Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Waubonsee Community College
Associate's Degree
waubonsee.eduAnalysis
Waubonsee's nursing program graduates earn solidly in the middle of Illinois' competitive community college nursing landscape—ranking at the 60th percentile statewide—though they start about $7,000 behind the state's top performers like Ambria College of Nursing or Moraine Valley. The stronger news is the debt picture: at $14,500, graduates borrow $6,000 less than the national median for nursing programs, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22. This means new nurses can expect to earn roughly five dollars for every dollar borrowed, a comfortable cushion even in a field known for demanding shift work.
The earnings trajectory deserves attention. While graduates start near the Illinois median at $66,440, income edges slightly downward to $65,159 by year four rather than climbing as many nursing careers do. This could reflect local market dynamics in the western Chicago suburbs or graduates staying in roles that don't advance as quickly. Still, with relatively low debt and starting salaries that support a middle-class lifestyle from day one, the financial fundamentals work.
For Illinois families weighing community college nursing options, Waubonsee offers a cost-effective entry point to the profession. You're trading some earning potential compared to the state's highest-performing programs, but the lighter debt load means graduates keep more of what they earn early in their careers when student loan payments matter most.
Where Waubonsee Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Waubonsee Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waubonsee Community College | $66,440 | $65,159 | -2% |
| Ambria College of Nursing | $75,461 | $86,883 | +15% |
| Northwestern College | $62,746 | $78,269 | +25% |
| Morton College | $65,090 | $72,449 | +11% |
| William Rainey Harper College | $70,929 | $71,259 | +0% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (48 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Waubonsee Community CollegeSugar Grove | $3,432 | $66,440 | $65,159 | $14,500 | 0.22 |
 Ambria College of NursingHoffman Estates | — | $75,461 | $86,883 | $36,518 | 0.48 |
 Moraine Valley Community CollegePalos Hills | $3,822 | $73,137 | $68,578 | $19,345 | 0.26 |
 College of Lake CountyGrayslake | $4,494 | $72,472 | $69,609 | $12,005 | 0.17 |
 Joliet Junior CollegeJoliet | $4,530 | $71,988 | $68,202 | $18,617 | 0.26 |
 Elgin Community CollegeElgin | $3,180 | $71,721 | $64,055 | $10,793 | 0.15 |
| National Median | — | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Waubonsee Community College, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 84 graduates with reported earnings and 97 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.