Carl Sandburg College vs MDT College of Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but MDT College of Health Sciences comes closer — median earnings $43,946 against a $123,332 total, vs $35,274 at Carl Sandburg College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carl Sandburg College | MDT College of Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,662 | $30,833 |
| Total net cost | $7,324 | $123,332 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,274 | $43,946 |
| Median debt | $4,909 | $19,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$269,044 | -$211,612 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carl Sandburg College or MDT College of Health Sciences?
Carl Sandburg College, at $3,662 a year after aid versus $30,833 — a gap of $27,171 a year, or $116,008 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 MDT College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?
MDT College of Health Sciences graduates report a median $43,946 ten years after entry, $8,672 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 MDT College of Health Sciences?
Carl Sandburg College: its completers carry a median $4,909 in federal loans versus $19,500 at MDT College of Health Sciences, a difference of $14,591. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at Carl Sandburg College, against 50% at MDT College of Health Sciences. 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.