At $3,957/yr net price, Illinois Valley Community College graduates earn $40,810/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,810/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,957 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $15,828 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,810/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,810/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,233 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,688/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,229/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,455/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,835/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,312/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,358 | $12,175 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $26,519 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,052 |
The Risk Factor
44.5% of students at Illinois Valley Community College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Illinois Valley Community College keeps costs low and debt manageable, but the payoff depends heavily on what you study. Median debt sits at $8,233 against median earnings of about $40,810 ten years out, so most graduates leave without the loan burden that sinks four-year students. The catch is that the typical earnings figure is modest, and one program carries the strong outcomes.
Nursing is the clear win here. The associate nursing track pays over $53,000, roughly double what the liberal arts and general studies associate degree returns. If you can get into and finish the nursing program, the math works well even with its higher $12,175 debt load, because the salary covers it fast.
The other listed programs are where you need caution. The biological and physical sciences associate degree and the liberal arts, general studies, and humanities associate degree both report earnings in the low $20,000s. Those are transfer-oriented tracks that assume you continue to a bachelor's degree elsewhere. If you stop at the two-year credential, you are looking at wages that barely clear entry-level work, and the degree alone will not move you.
The biggest risk is the 44.5% graduation rate. More than half of students do not finish, and a non-completed degree gives you the cost with none of the earnings gain. Enroll only if you have a real plan to finish or transfer.
Net price scales sharply with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $1,688 a year, which makes this one of the cheapest routes to a nursing career you will find. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay closer to $11,312, and the value proposition tightens unless you are headed for nursing or transferring to a strong bachelor's program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illinois Valley Community College worth the cost?
With a net price of $3,957 per year and median debt of just $8,233, Illinois Valley Community College offers decent value for students who complete their programs. The nursing program produces graduates earning $53,358 annually, making it the clear financial winner.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Illinois Valley Community College?
Average earnings 10 years after attending are $40,810, which is reasonable for a community college. However, only 44.5% of students graduate, meaning many don't complete their programs to see these benefits.
Which programs at Illinois Valley Community College have the best ROI?
The nursing programs offer the strongest return with graduates earning $53,358 annually. Liberal arts graduates earn much less at $21,052, making program choice critical for financial outcomes.
How much debt do Illinois Valley Community College students graduate with?
Median debt is $8,233, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. The low cost and minimal debt load reduce financial risk, even if career earnings are modest.