Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, Illinois
Prairie State College is a public institution in Chicago Heights, Illinois with 2,448 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $4,176 compared with a Illinois nursing-school average of $17,333. The school reports a graduation rate of 19.1%, median earnings of $36,696, and median federal debt of $11,000.
$4,176 is lower than the state average of $17,333.
19.1% is lower than the state average of 51.1%.
$36,696 is lower than the state average of $46,394.
About Prairie State College
| Location | Chicago Heights, Illinois |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | associate |
| Website | prairiestate.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $4,176 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $11,064 |
| Total Enrollment | 2,448 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 19.1% |
| Retention Rate | 55.4% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $36,696 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $116 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 35.6% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 7.5% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
35.6% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 7.5% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Prairie State College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $16,704, while the reported median debt is $11,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $116. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among Black students (53.7%), followed by Hispanic students (22.6%) and White students (13.1%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($36,696) divided by median debt ($11,000)