Degree Dividend
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Blackburn College vs East-West University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Carlinville IL · vs · Private nonprofit, Chicago IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Blackburn College comes closer — median earnings $46,802 against a $73,840 total, vs $29,963 at East-West University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBlackburn CollegeEast-West University
Net price / yr$18,460$21,697
Total net cost$73,840$86,788
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,802$29,963
Median debt$24,242$26,986
Payback
20-year net return-$105,000-$454,728

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

Which is cheaper, Blackburn College or East-West University?

Blackburn College, at $18,460 a year after aid versus $21,697 — a gap of $3,237 a year, or $12,948 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Blackburn College or East-West University graduates earn more?

Blackburn College graduates report a median $46,802 ten years after entry, $16,839 more than the $29,963 at East-West 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, Blackburn College or East-West University?

Blackburn College: its completers carry a median $24,242 in federal loans versus $26,986 at East-West University, a difference of $2,744. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at Blackburn College, against 16% at East-West 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.

Blackburn College vs East-West University: frequently asked questions

Is Blackburn College or East-West University a better value?
Blackburn College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Blackburn College or East-West University?
Blackburn College: $18,460/yr net price after aid versus $21,697/yr at East-West University — a difference of $3,237 a year, or about $12,948 over four years.
Do Blackburn College or East-West University graduates earn more?
Blackburn College graduates earn a median $46,802 ten years after entry, versus $29,963 at East-West University — a $16,839 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.