Carl Sandburg College vs Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Carl Sandburg College comes closer — median earnings $35,274 against a $7,324 total, vs $28,554 at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carl Sandburg College | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,662 | $21,856 |
| Total net cost | $7,324 | $87,424 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,274 | $28,554 |
| Median debt | $4,909 | $7,307 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$269,044 | -$483,544 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carl Sandburg College or Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW?
Carl Sandburg College, at $3,662 a year after aid versus $21,856 — a gap of $18,194 a year, or $80,100 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 Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW graduates earn more?
Carl Sandburg College graduates report a median $35,274 ten years after entry, $6,720 more than the $28,554 at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW. 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 Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW?
Carl Sandburg College: its completers carry a median $4,909 in federal loans versus $7,307 at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW, a difference of $2,398. 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 0% at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW. 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.