Nursing at Elgin Community College

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

serving 6,463 students in Elgin, IL.

Program Analysis

At $71,721/yr, Nursing graduates from Elgin Community College land near the $69,474 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 121.8x 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 $8,680 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Elgin Community College ranks #178 among 947 Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

87 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
82
Low End
87
Score
88
High End
Earnings $71,721/yr (3% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$72K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
122.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,360
Out-of-state: $19,032
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,680
1.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,945
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Elgin Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Elgin Community College?
A score of 87/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Elgin Community College's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?
Our scenarios model 39% of Nursing tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Elgin Community College's 87/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Elgin Community College?
At $8,680 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Elgin Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
Is Elgin Community College one of the best schools for Nursing?
Ranked #178 of 947 programs nationally, Elgin Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Elgin Community College?
Beyond Elgin Community College's classroom route, 4 registered apprenticeships map to Nursing careers — including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Nursing workers?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Elgin Community College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →