Nursing Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.5 yrs
in Joliet
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Joliet, IL Overview
Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 colleges offering Nursing programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/month. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Joliet is approximately $73,440.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$8,958/yr
Private Tuition
$36,980/yr
Room & Board
$13,014/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,482/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
70%
Nursing Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Joliet's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Joliet
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Joliet tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,958 | Private avg: $36,980
Joliet avg aid: $7,482/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,888
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$35,640
vs HS diploma in Joliet
ROI Payback Period
2.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Joliet
$668,112
Lifetime earnings premium ($756,000) minus total education cost ($87,888)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Joliet
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Joliet for Nursing
University of St. Francis
private
$36,980/yr
$147,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Joliet Junior College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Joliet
Joliet offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Joliet 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
Naperville, IL
$69K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$61K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$54K starting · COL 79
13 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 Joliet
Pharmacy
$54K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$54K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$54K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$54K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing Degree in Joliet — 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 Joliet.