Chicago State University vs Southeastern Illinois College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chicago State University comes closer — median earnings $42,778 against a $49,340 total, vs $33,763 at Southeastern Illinois College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chicago State University | Southeastern Illinois College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,335 | $11,437 |
| Total net cost | $49,340 | $45,748 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,778 | $33,763 |
| Median debt | $30,625 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$160,980 | -$337,688 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Chicago State University or Southeastern Illinois College?
Southeastern Illinois College, at $11,437 a year after aid versus $12,335 — a gap of $898 a year, or $3,592 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Chicago State University or Southeastern Illinois College graduates earn more?
Chicago State University graduates report a median $42,778 ten years after entry, $9,015 more than the $33,763 at Southeastern Illinois 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 graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at Southeastern Illinois College, against 15% at Chicago State 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.