Nursing at Heartland Community College

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

a smaller institution with 2,991 students in Normal, IL.

Program Analysis

At $66,171/yr, Nursing graduates from Heartland Community College land near the $69,474 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 65.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

The median debt load of $10,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #621 out of 947 programs, Heartland Community College's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
75
Low End
80
Score
81
High End
Earnings $66,171/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$66K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
65.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,920
Out-of-state: $30,840
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,250
1.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,436
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 Heartland 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 does a 80/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Heartland Community College?
A score of 80/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Heartland Community College trails the majority of Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $692,295 in decade earnings vs $716,164 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Nursing at Heartland Community College?
At $10,250 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Heartland Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Heartland Community College?
If Heartland Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Heartland Community College?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Heartland Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →