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Augustana College vs North Park University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Rock Island IL · vs · Private nonprofit, Chicago IL

The verdict

North Park University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $67,792 in 6 years versus 6.2 years at Augustana College, on median earnings of $59,572 vs $62,971 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAugustana CollegeNorth Park University
Net price / yr$22,736$16,948
Total net cost$90,944$67,792
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,971$59,572
Median debt$27,000$25,500
Payback6.2 yrs6 yrs
20-year net return$201,276$156,448

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Augustana College or North Park University?

North Park University, at $16,948 a year after aid versus $22,736 — a gap of $5,788 a year, or $23,152 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Augustana College or North Park University graduates earn more?

Augustana College graduates report a median $62,971 ten years after entry, $3,399 more than the $59,572 at North Park University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Augustana College or North Park University?

North Park University: its completers carry a median $25,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Augustana College, a difference of $1,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

73% of students finish at Augustana College, against 58% at North Park University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Augustana College vs North Park University: frequently asked questions

Is Augustana College or North Park University a better value?
North Park University. It clears its $67,792 net cost in about 6 years versus 6.2 years at Augustana College, on median earnings of $59,572 vs $62,971 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Augustana College or North Park University?
North Park University: $16,948/yr net price after aid versus $22,736/yr at Augustana College — a difference of $5,788 a year, or about $23,152 over four years.
Do Augustana College or North Park University graduates earn more?
Augustana College graduates earn a median $62,971 ten years after entry, versus $59,572 at North Park University — a $3,399 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.