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Practical Nursing at Illinois Valley Community College

Oglesby, IL · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 1,851 students in Oglesby, IL.

Program Analysis

Illinois Valley Community College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $29,115/yr, trailing the $44,151 national average by 34%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 114.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

The 35% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 18% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Practical Nursing graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $5,500 in median debt clears fast against $29,115 in annual earnings.

At #253 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Illinois Valley Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $29,115 to $43,119 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Practical Nursing, including Nurse, Licensed Practical (median $62,340/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

High End

Earnings $29,115/yr (-34% vs median)

AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)

Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings

$471K

10.3% annual growth

Earnings Multiple (In-State)

116.0x

10-year earnings ÷ tuition

Viable Career Paths

2 of 2

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)

$4,060

Out-of-state: $14,981

Median Debt at Graduation

$5,500

2.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,119

48% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Practical Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path	Median Salary	Growth	AI-ProofAI
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	$62,340	+2.6%	75%
Nursing assistants	$39,530	+2.3%	90%

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

$62,340

+2.6% growth 75% AI-proof

Nursing assistants

$39,530

+2.3% growth 90% AI-proof

Practical Nursing Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Practical Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Illinois Valley Community College and 702 other schools.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Illinois Valley Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 71/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Illinois Valley Community College?

A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Illinois Valley Community College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

Is Practical Nursing from Illinois Valley Community College a future-proof career choice?

AI resilience is a strength here. Only 18% of Practical Nursing tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 2 of 2 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.

What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Illinois Valley Community College?

Median debt of just $5,500 against $29,115/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.

Is Illinois Valley Community College a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?

Lower starting pay at Illinois Valley Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Illinois Valley Community College?

Beyond Illinois Valley Community College's classroom route, 2 registered apprenticeships map to Practical Nursing careers — including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.

Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?

The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 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 →