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City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College vs City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College: which has better ROI?

Public, Chicago IL · vs · Public, Chicago IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College comes closer — median earnings $36,484 against a $31,452 total, vs $28,467 at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCity Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman CollegeCity Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College
Net price / yr$7,863$9,494
Total net cost$31,452$37,976
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,484$28,467
Median debt$6,997$6,180
Payback
20-year net return-$268,972-$435,836

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

Which is cheaper, City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College or City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College?

City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College, at $7,863 a year after aid versus $9,494 — a gap of $1,631 a year, or $6,524 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College or City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College graduates earn more?

City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College graduates report a median $36,484 ten years after entry, $8,017 more than the $28,467 at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King 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, City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College or City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College?

City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College: its completers carry a median $6,180 in federal loans versus $6,997 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College, a difference of $817. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

32% of students finish at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College, against 31% at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King 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.

City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College vs City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College: frequently asked questions

Is City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College or City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College a better value?
City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman 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, City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College or City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College?
City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College: $7,863/yr net price after aid versus $9,494/yr at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College — a difference of $1,631 a year, or about $6,524 over four years.
Do City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College or City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College graduates earn more?
City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College graduates earn a median $36,484 ten years after entry, versus $28,467 at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College — a $8,017 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.