Millikin University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Millikin University charges a net price of $21,989/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $87,956. Graduates earn a median $51,262 ten years after entry, $2,902/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 30.3 years — a 20-year net return of -$29,916, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Millikin University's 30.3-year payback ranks #1,134 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 11% of them, and #46 of 116 in Illinois.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $21,989/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $87,956 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $51,262 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $2,902/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $27,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 30.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$29,916 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Millikin University's own numbers. Net price $21,989 × 4 years = $87,956 total. Median earnings $51,262 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $2,902 a year of premium. $87,956 ÷ $2,902 = 30.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$29,916. 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 Millikin University students graduate with?
A median $27,000 in federal loans among completers, or 53% of the $51,262 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Millikin University students graduate?
55% finish their degree — 45% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $87,956 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $159,920 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Millikin University expensive compared with other Illinois colleges?
Its $21,989 net price runs $8,239 above the $13,750 median across the 116 Illinois colleges we profile, or $32,956 more across the full degree.