Carl Sandburg College vs Fox College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fox College comes closer — median earnings $41,539 against a $26,218 total, vs $35,274 at Carl Sandburg College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carl Sandburg College | Fox College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,662 | $13,109 |
| Total net cost | $7,324 | $26,218 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,274 | $41,539 |
| Median debt | $4,909 | $16,209 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$269,044 | -$162,638 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carl Sandburg College or Fox College?
Carl Sandburg College, at $3,662 a year after aid versus $13,109 — a gap of $9,447 a year, or $18,894 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Carl Sandburg College or Fox College graduates earn more?
Fox College graduates report a median $41,539 ten years after entry, $6,265 more than the $35,274 at Carl Sandburg College. 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, Carl Sandburg College or Fox College?
Carl Sandburg College: its completers carry a median $4,909 in federal loans versus $16,209 at Fox College, a difference of $11,300. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Fox College, against 50% at Carl Sandburg College. 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.