Nursing Degree in Waukegan, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Waukegan, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$74K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.9 yrs
in Waukegan
Cost of Living
90.3
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Waukegan, IL Overview
While Waukegan has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Nursing students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,641/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Waukegan is approximately $61,404.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,641/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,734/yr
Unemployment
5.1%
Graduation Rate
74%
Nursing Salary in Waukegan (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waukegan's cost of living index of 90.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Waukegan adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Waukegan
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Waukegan tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Waukegan avg aid: $13,734/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$116,164
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$29,799
vs HS diploma in Waukegan
ROI Payback Period
3.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waukegan
$515,936
Lifetime earnings premium ($632,100) minus total education cost ($116,164)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Waukegan
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waukegan for Nursing
Waukegan State University
public
$15,619/yr
$62,476 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waukegan Community College
$4,848/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Waukegan
Waukegan offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waukegan 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
Elgin, IL
$54K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$63K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$71K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Waukegan
Pharmacy
$45K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$45K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$45K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$45K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing Degree in Waukegan — 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 Waukegan.