At $8,388/yr net price, Sauk Valley Community College graduates earn $40,458/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,458/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,388 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $33,552 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,458/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,458/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,156/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,982/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,548/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,018/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,854/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 | $53,179 | $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 |
The Risk Factor
51.5% of students at Sauk 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
Sauk Valley Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a modest payoff, and the gap between its best and worst programs is wide enough to decide your outcome before you enroll. You'll graduate with debt near $8,250, one of the lower loads for a two-year school, and just over half of students finish. That combination keeps your downside small, but the median earnings a decade out sit close to what a full-time job at modest wages pays anyway.
Nursing is the reason to come here. The associate nursing track pays roughly $53,000, about $13,000 more than the next-closest health program and nearly double what the practical nursing certificate returns. If you can get into and complete the associate nursing program, the math works clearly in your favor against the debt you take on.
The weaker paths are easy to spot. Criminal justice, the practical nursing certificate, and the biological and physical sciences associate all land below the school's own median earnings. The sciences associate near $26,000 is a transfer stepping stone, not an endpoint. if you stop there, you've undersold the cost. Treat these as the first step toward a bachelor's, or you may not clear your investment.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay under $7,000 a year. Above $75,000, your price more than doubles to around $13,000, which changes the calculation on a degree that pays $40,000 at the median.
This school fits you if you're aiming at the nursing program or using it as a cheap transfer launch to a four-year school. If you plan to stop at a certificate or a general associate and enter the local job market directly, look hard at whether the earnings justify even this low price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sauk Valley Community College worth the cost?
Sauk Valley Community College offers decent value with a low net price of $8,388 per year and median debt of only $8,250. However, 10-year earnings average just $40,458, which is modest but reasonable given the low cost of attendance.
What are the best paying programs at Sauk Valley Community College?
Registered nursing programs at Sauk Valley Community College lead to the highest earnings at $53,179 annually, followed by allied health diagnostic programs at $40,467. Criminal justice graduates earn $33,993, while biological sciences majors see lower returns at $26,121.
How much debt do Sauk Valley Community College graduates have?
Sauk Valley Community College graduates carry a median debt of $8,250, which is relatively manageable for a community college. The low debt burden helps offset the modest earning potential for most programs.
What is the graduation rate at Sauk Valley Community College?
Sauk Valley Community College has a 51.5% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students don't complete their programs. This completion rate is typical for community colleges but represents a significant risk factor for student investment.