Nursing at Prairie State College

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

a smaller institution with 2,448 students in Chicago Heights, IL.

Program Analysis

At $68,277/yr, Nursing graduates from Prairie State College land near the $69,474 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 90.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% 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 $14,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #306 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Prairie State College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $68,277 to $74,487 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

85 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
79
Low End
85
Score
85
High End
Earnings $68,277/yr (-2% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$754K
2.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
90.3x
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)
$8,352
Out-of-state: $22,128
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,500
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,487
9% growth from Year 1

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

What can you do with a Nursing credential from Prairie State College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Prairie State 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

How does Prairie State College's Nursing program score?
This program scores 85/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Prairie State College?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Prairie State College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
How affordable is Nursing at Prairie State College?
Median debt of just $14,500 against $68,277/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Prairie State College?
If Prairie State 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.
Is there demand for Nursing workers?
Job availability for Nursing is strong — 292,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Prairie State College graduates specifically, local market conditions in IL may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →