Nursing at Waubonsee Community College

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

enrolling 5,499 students in Sugar Grove, IL.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $66,440/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 106.0x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

With first-year pay of $66,440 far exceeding the $9,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #233 out of 947 programs, Waubonsee Community College's Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $66,440 to $72,033 over five years (8% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

86 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
86
Score
86
High End
Earnings $66,440/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$729K
2.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
106.2x
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)
$6,864
Out-of-state: $24,660
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
1.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,033
8% 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

Explore what Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 947 programs nationwide.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Waubonsee Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Waubonsee Community College's Nursing program score?
At 86/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For Waubonsee Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($728,871) and pessimistic ($695,108) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Waubonsee Community College?
Median debt of just $9,000 against $66,440/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 Waubonsee Community College one of the best schools for Nursing?
Ranked #233 of 947 programs nationally, Waubonsee Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing Waubonsee Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Waubonsee Community College?
The very large job market (292,500 annual openings) works in favor of Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →