Nursing Degree in Elgin, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Elgin, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.1 yrs
in Elgin
Cost of Living
79
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Elgin, IL Overview
Elgin, Illinois (pop. 114,797) has 13 colleges offering Nursing programs. The local cost of living index of 79 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,008/month. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Elgin is approximately $53,720.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$10,014/yr
Private Tuition
$30,900/yr
Room & Board
$9,983/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,897/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
47%
Nursing Salary in Elgin (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Elgin's cost of living index of 79 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Elgin adjustment factor: 0.79x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Elgin
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Elgin tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,014 | Private avg: $30,900
Elgin avg aid: $15,897/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$26,070
vs HS diploma in Elgin
ROI Payback Period
3.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Elgin
$473,012
Lifetime earnings premium ($553,000) minus total education cost ($79,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Elgin
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Elgin for Nursing
Judson University
private
$30,900/yr
$123,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Elgin Community College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Elgin
Elgin offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Elgin Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$74K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$63K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$73K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$69K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$61K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Springfield, IL
$63K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$71K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$61K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Elgin
Pharmacy
$40K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$40K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$40K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$40K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$40K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$40K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$40K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$40K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing Degree in Elgin — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Elgin.