Nursing at College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a mid-sized student body of 15,185 in Glen Ellyn, IL.

Program Analysis

At $69,105/yr, Nursing graduates from College of DuPage land near the $69,474 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 86.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $13,006 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #361 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places College of DuPage in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

84 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
79
Low End
84
Score
85
High End
Earnings $69,105/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$748K
1.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
86.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$8,640
Out-of-state: $25,020
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,006
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

Explore what Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 947 programs nationwide.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at College of DuPage

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does College of DuPage's Nursing program score?
A score of 84/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. College of DuPage's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — College of DuPage graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from College of DuPage?
At $13,006 in median debt, Nursing graduates from College of DuPage carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing College of DuPage's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Nursing from College of DuPage?
The career paths mapped to Nursing have roughly 292,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →