Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 51.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $40,458
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $8,250
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 55.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $87/mo
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 | $53,179 | $9,600 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $40,467 | $8,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $28,960 | $8,320 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $26,121 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,508 |
Outcomes Overview
Sauk Valley graduates enter the workforce with manageable debt loads. The median debt of $8,250 creates monthly payments of just $87, representing only 2.6% of typical graduate income. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 sits well below the concerning 1.0 threshold that signals financial stress. The college's strong ties to local manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture sectors help explain the impressive 93.6% employment rate. Many graduates find work at nearby John Deere facilities or enter nursing programs that lead to stable healthcare careers. With graduates earning solid middle-class incomes while carrying minimal debt burdens, Sauk Valley delivers a strong return on investment for students seeking practical career training.