Benedictine University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Benedictine University charges a net price of $22,313/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $89,252. Graduates earn a median $63,446 ten years after entry, $15,086/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.9 years — a 20-year net return of $212,468, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Benedictine University's 5.9-year payback ranks #517 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 60% of them, and #17 of 116 in Illinois.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $22,313/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $89,252 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $63,446 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $15,086/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $212,468 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Benedictine University's own numbers. Net price $22,313 × 4 years = $89,252 total. Median earnings $63,446 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $15,086 a year of premium. $89,252 ÷ $15,086 = 5.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $212,468. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Benedictine University students graduate with?
A median $22,500 in federal loans among completers, or 35% of the $63,446 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Benedictine University students graduate?
50% finish their degree — 50% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $89,252 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $178,504 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Benedictine University expensive compared with other Illinois colleges?
Its $22,313 net price runs $8,563 above the $13,750 median across the 116 Illinois colleges we profile, or $34,252 more across the full degree.