Rock Island, ILprivate nonprofitwww.trinitycollegeqc.edu/
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a hyper-focused, clinically intensive institution in Rock Island, Illinois, built to funnel students directly into the healthcare workforce. With a tiny undergraduate body of just 59 students, it offers an intimate, no-frills education centered on nursing and allied health degrees, boasting above-average exam pass rates and a pragmatic, career-first approach. This is a place for students who know exactly what they want to do and want to start doing it yesterday.
Test-blind — scores not considered
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2021) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Compare on earnings: best colleges for Nursing
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Admissions at Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences are characterized by a focus on preparing students for the rigors of healthcare professions, with a process that appears more accessible than that of a traditional liberal arts college. The undergraduate has been reported at various levels, including 60% (from 5 applications in 2015) and 81%, indicating a generally selective but not prohibitively competitive process. The institution is small, with a total undergraduate enrollment of just 59 students as of fall 2023, and the student body is overwhelmingly female, with a gender distribution of 94.9% women and 5.1% men. Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are listed as required for application. Unlike many selective liberal arts colleges, there is no clear indication in the provided sources that Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences utilizes a binding Early Decision program or heavily weighs demonstrated interest in its admissions decisions; its process seems geared toward evaluating readiness for its specific health science programs.
The academic experience is singularly dedicated to healthcare education. Trinity offers a two-year associate degree, a four-year bachelor's degree, and a master's degree in nursing, with programs also in allied health sciences. The curriculum emphasizes clinical rigor within a small-college environment. Students learn about best practices in nursing, research utilization, leadership and management, community assessment and planning, and information management. The college prides itself on excellent pass rates for licensure and certification exams, which are above both state and national averages. This focus on tangible outcomes over a broad liberal arts foundation defines the academic culture, preparing graduates for immediate entry into high-demand healthcare roles.
With a micro-sized undergraduate population of 59, student life is inherently intimate and almost entirely oriented around the shared mission of professional healthcare training. There is no mention of a traditional residential campus experience, Greek life, or broad extracurricular arrays typical of larger universities. The vibe is likely one of a focused, commuter-style cohort where relationships are built through shared clinical and classroom experiences. The extreme gender imbalance (nearly 95% female) further shapes the social environment. This is not a school for those seeking a typical "college life" with sprawling clubs and sports; it's for students whose primary identity is that of a future nurse or health professional.
Outcomes are the central selling point. The institution uses outcomes data as a foundation for course and program changes while maintaining a quality learning experience. For graduates, the financial return is strong. According to the canonical figures provided, the median earnings 10 years after entry is $58,743. Other sources report a median salary of $62,487 six years after graduation. Graduation rates show variation: one source indicates a six-year graduation rate of 77.8% for full-time, first-time students, while another lists a 41.5% graduation rate. Program-specific completion rates, such as for a recent nursing cohort, have been reported at 71.4% (15 out of 21 students) and 48.1% (13 out of 27) in successive years, highlighting the demanding nature of the curricula. Retention rates have been noted at 69.2%. The high licensure exam pass rates underscore the program's effectiveness in preparing students for credentialing and employment.
Financing an education here involves navigating standard federal aid pathways and institutional scholarships. The college assists each student in developing a comprehensive plan for financing their education. Numerous scholarship opportunities are offered. The —the average out-of-pocket cost after grants and scholarships—is reported by one source as $17,821. Another source categorizes the average cost between $30,001 and $48,000. All students are encouraged to use the Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate. Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. A specific Nursing Student Loan (NSL) is available as a last-resort option and is interest-free while the student is enrolled. There is no indication in the provided sources of a no-loan policy or a guarantee to meet full demonstrated need, as might be found at wealthier liberal arts colleges; the aid approach appears practical and centered on access to federal programs and targeted scholarships.
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences stands out for its unapologetic, single-minded focus. It is not a liberal arts college with a nursing school; it is a nursing and health sciences college. This purity of mission translates into a clinically intensive curriculum, above-average exam pass rates, and a student body united by a professional goal. The ultra-small size (59 undergraduates) creates an environment of intense focus and close mentorship, but it demands a student who is self-directed and clear on their career path from day one. It forgoes the traditional trappings of college life for a direct, efficient pipeline into the healthcare workforce, evidenced by its strong median graduate earnings. In a region and a field desperate for skilled professionals, Trinity operates like a precision tool, designed for a specific and vital outcome.



