Nursing at Carl Sandburg College

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

a smaller institution with 1,124 students in Galesburg, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $66,508 track close to the $69,474 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 67.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 3% gap from the optimistic case.

At $4,954 in median debt against $66,508 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #531 of 947 Nursing programs, Carl Sandburg College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Nursing, including Home Health Director (median $117,960/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

81 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
76
Low End
81
Score
81
High End
Earnings $66,508/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$67K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
67.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,600
Out-of-state: $17,620
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,954
0.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,857
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 Carl Sandburg College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 81/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Carl Sandburg College?
This program scores 81/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Carl Sandburg College?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $695,822 in decade earnings vs $719,812 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Nursing at Carl Sandburg College?
Median debt of just $4,954 against $66,508/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 1 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Carl Sandburg College?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Nursing career paths, including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Carl Sandburg College.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
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 →